A 10-year-old’s mother passed away when her sibling, Ren, was just a baby. The mother suffered from severe mental health issues, which led to her suicide when Ren was nearly one year old. Ren is aware that her mother died when she was a baby, but the specific circumstances remain unknown to her.
The tragic event occurred after the mother ceased taking her medication for over a month. She took Ren to a rooftop and threatened to jump with her. Fortunately, a negotiator convinced her to put Ren down, yet the mother tragically jumped and did not survive.
Ren, now 11, was adopted by her stepmother after her father remarried when Ren was three. She regards her stepmother as her mother and has no memories of her birth mother. With growing internet access, there’s a concern that Ren might discover the truth online before her father can explain it. Her older sibling has urged their father to discuss the situation, but he is unsure how to proceed.
Experts suggest that the father inform Ren about her mother’s suicide rather than her discovering it online, which could feel like a betrayal. If Ren appears ready for the conversation, it might begin with minimal details, allowing her questions to guide the discussion. The aim is to prepare her for this challenging truth gradually.
