ABSTRACT
When kids make comments like “I hate my life!” they can be said with different levels of despair. Healthy and generally well-adjusted kids will routinely say something like this when very upset but so may kids who’ve really been struggling. If you have any sense that your child is truly despairing about life, then it’s important to ask directly and specifically about whether he has any thoughts of wanting to harm himself. If you have any concerns that your child may have thoughts of suicide, you do need to get professional help on an urgent basis. You may also wish to refer to Chapter 24: Recommended Readings for links to additional resources. The rest of this chapter is intended for parents of kids who say “I hate my life!” or some version of that comment when you are confident there is no actual intent for the child to harm himself or end his life.
