Parents of terminally ill children at risk for suicide

The death of a child is the worst thing that most parents can imagine, except maybe watching that child die in pain over a long period of time in your care. So it shouldn't be surprising that, as palliative care at home has increasingly become an option for parents of children with terminal illness, the emotional toll of providing that care may be more than parents can stand. The British Medical Journal reports this month on two stories of suicide, one attempted, one successful, in which grieving parents used the painkillers they had been given to ease the suffering of their child to end their own lives after that child's death. Parents are urged to return medical equipment and prescriptions when they are no longer needed, but doctors may be reluctant to rush parents to follow through, with sometimes tragic consequences. If you're the parent of a child with a chronic or terminal illness, this is a good reminder to seek out help and emotional support at this tremendously stressful time in your life. And if you know someone who's dealing with this sort of heartbreaking experience, it's a good reminder to offer that support and assistance. ... How to Help Cancer Families | Books on Children with Chronic or Terminal Illness