Trying to help your child when they are struggling is like plugging a dam says Kent mum
Stefan Kluibenschadl from Margate, took his own life in 2022 aged just 15.
The mum of a teenage boy from Kent who took his own life has told us being a parent of child who is struggling with their mental health is like trying to 'plug a dam'.
It comes with this week being Children's Mental Health Week - with the aim to help young people to speak up and feel empowered to talk about their mental health.
Stefan Kluibenschadl from Margate, died in 2022 aged just 15 and Stefan's mum, Emma Kluibenschadl, opened up on what it's like to be a parent when your child is struggling, she said: "I felt like I was trying to plug a dam because every time I thought I sorted something out or Stefan had engaged in something, water would be coming out another area.
"And that can be hugely distressing when you are trying to access something that is suitable for your young person but they don't meet the criteria or they aren't sad enough or they just aren't engaging because they are a teenager.
And when asked about what a parent can do to help their child, Emma said: "We all try and rescue our children a bit too much from their emotions and sometimes all we need to do is sit with them until the uncomfortable feelings pass because otherwise they don't learn to regulate if they don't get time to experience that feeling.
After Stefan's death, his parents set up the charity STAK - which stands for Stefan's acts of kindness. It's aim is to support young neuro-divergent people such as those with Autism and ADHD. They also offer drop in sessions for parents dealing with the loss a child as a well as a therapy group in Thanet.
Last year, in Stefan's memory, the family held numerous art shows as well as an event on World Suicide Prevention Day and this year they are creating a Kent speak their name suicide memorial quilt, Emma explains: "Anyone who has been bereaved by suicide in Kent can decorate a square dedicate to the person they have lost.
"We have the materials, and your piece will be sown into a larger quilt and will be unveiled later this year in Dreamland in Margate to highlight the impact of loosing someone who has chosen to take their own life.