hope THERE IS ALWAYS
Encouragement for parents of suicidal kids.
ȷustbetweenus
winter 2021
by Kay Warren
34
Hundreds of people have asked me how to help their loved one—particularly an adolescent or young adult child—who is living with severe mental illness and/ or substance use disorder. They have a similar look in their eyes, a similar expression on their faces, a similar weariness that seems to come from their bones. Many weep—mostly against their will—because these brave moms and dads have steeled themselves to not break down in public again over the anguish they feel for their
beloved sons and daughters who are barely holding on, cycling through repeated “episodes,” relapses, jail time, rehab, hospitalizations, overdoses, and suicide attempts. These dear parents are doing all they know to do; have done it for years or decades and will do it until their last breath. They recognize that severe mental illness often leaves families with untenable choices— there are few “good” options, only “bad” and “worse.”
