Even if you don’t think your child means it, it can be scary to hear your child say, “I wish I was dead” or any variation of that. Children express big feelings in big ways because they don't yet have the tools to express complex emotions. Saying the most final thing they can think of, that they want to die, is their way of communicating a need. Young children do not fully grasp the concept of death and saying they want to be dead can be a way to express how bad one is feeling at that moment. Children mimick things they've heard others express in intense moments.

How to Respond

Observe: "It seems like you are really upset," or "Your face is telling me you feel frustrated and angry."
Allow them to communicate: "Can you tell me what's going on right now?" or "I'm here to listen to you." Acknowledge and validate: "That must be super tough," or "I can understand how this is upsetting," or "It's OK to feel this way. Things can feel really overwhelming sometimes."
Support: "You're not alone in this." "Your feelings matter to me."
Look to past successes: "What have you done in the past that helped you get through a bad feeling like this?"

Warning signs of self harm include:

Changes in behavior or mood (withdrawing, loss of interest, increased risk-taking)
Talking or writing about death or suicide
Giving away prized possessions
Saying goodbye to loved ones

Ask if there is a plan of on how they would die.

If there is some type of plan, you want to limit access to means, create a safety plan and seek additional professional support.

Connecting with your child when they feel big feelings is what will help them feel safe and loved.

Information summarized from Laura Wheatman Hill in LifeHacker