*Content warning: mature themes - listener discretion advised*

How do you talk to your kids when they are touched by the profound loss of a loved one through a suicide? These hard conversations must be had openly with your children - with kindness, compassion, and empathy. Your job is NOT to tell them everything, but to answer their questions honestly, in an age-appropriate way. 

Topics in this episode:

• Protecting children from pain
• Limited evidence for how to have these conversations
• Keep your reactions level
• National Centre for Childhood Grief
• Keep the conversation age/developmentally appropriate
• Young Children and Middle Childhood:
  • Keep it simple
  • Operate on the principle of 'the fire hose'
  • Answer questions honestly (to the degree with which they are curious) - the more general you can be, the more protected your child will be
  • Offer empathy
  • Talking helps to dispel misinformation and stigma and creates a safe space to ask questions
  • Encourage questions about anything, and at any time
  • Ensure they understand what "dead" means. Give concrete answers, not idioms or euphemisms
• Expect and accept a range of emotions (and behaviours!) from your child, which will change daily. Let them feel safe to let it all out

Picture Books for Helping Children Navigate Grief

• Elergy for an Elephant by Ryan Abramowitz
• Death Is Stupid by Anastasia Higginbotham
• Luna's Red Hat by Emmi Smid
• Red Chocolate Elephants by Diana C. Sands
• Forever Connected by Jessica Correnti

For help:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467
• Mensline Australia: 1300 789 987
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
• Standby - Support After Suicide 1300 727 247

In Memory of Logan - Happy Families

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au