Suicide in 7 year Olds

[nosotros3]

My son is seven years old and he has said to me twice already that he wants to kill himself.  He usually says this things when there is nothing to do or he is bored.  
I have reacted differently in both occasions the first time we were walking at the store and he said id loud and he smiled afterwards like OH! She is mad.  I hit him upside his head and he started laughing.  The second time we were at the house and he was bored, When he said it my husband got really upset and hit him in the mouth, worried I asked him why he said those things, but he just looked at me and smile.  I made him polish all the shoes (18 pairs) and to put his shoes in order, and clean his closet.

What can I do?  I really think is doing it to get attention, he doesnt have any tendencies that are alarming he is fun.  But should I worry?

[LRM1021]

I suggest that you post over in the Child Behavior Medical Forum - Ask a Doctor Forum, if you are looking for professional advice.
You should just copy your post over there and see what the dr has to say....

[Ktz40]

Well children do things and say things to see how it is we re-act on a regular basis. Ask yourself, evn if this was a cry for help, then how can I help by smacking him in the head...or how does he feel to get slapped in the mouth by a full grown man! I cannot believe anyone these days hits a child in the head...or in the mouth. You should be ashamed of yourself.
What surprises me the most is that you would even post it. Get you child help for sure, start by not hitting him !

[nosotros3]

I am not abusive towards my child. He was being mischevious when he said it.  If He looked depressed or sad I will rush him to a psychologist.  
But you are correct I do not why I thought that in this place I can get the advise of a proffesional that can help me deal and react in a different way when he says that.  I did not post my message to be critizised or bullied by you. I will take my message out.

Thanks

[Ktz40]

wELL IF i WAS GETTING WHACKED IN THE HEAD & SMACKED IN THE MOUTH....THEN HAVING TO POLISH 18 PAIRS ORF SHOES IN AN EFFORT TO CRY OUT FOR HELP...THEN ID PROBABLY BE SAYING THE SAME THING.
IF HE GETS HIT IN THE HEAD WHEN HES SAD & DEPRESSED...HOW OFTEN DOES HE GET HIT ASIDE FROM THAT??? IM SURPRISED YOU EVEN COME ON HERE & OPENLY ADMIT TO HITTING YOUR CHILD IN THE HEAD?
WHY DONT YOU SIT DOWN AND ASK HIM WHY HE IS SO SAD & TRY TO DO SO WITHOUT A HAND IN HIS FACE!

[Sunshine349]

Don’t have an answer of course, but have someone in my family that uses to say the same thing. My niece at the time was about 5/6, my brother raises her and very rarely does she see her mom. So she would spend that night on the weekends because she is the only child and I have 3 of my own. She would say things like “I hate my life, I’m going to kill my self” over and over. I figured that it was because she didn’t have her mom around or that she wanted/needed attention. This went on for a good year and 1/2 . She is now 10 and doesn’t say those things. Maybe it was a phase. I don’t know if this will even help or is irrelevant but just wanted to comment so that you don’t think you’ll alone in the matter.