Psychotherapist DR. FRAN WALFISH weighs in on Paris Jackson on WENN
A CHILD psychotherapist and author fears the fourth anniversary of Michael Jackson's death later this month may have prompted his teenage daughter's apparent attempt to take her own life.
Paris Jackson, 15, was hospitalised following a medical emergency at her Calabasas, California home on Wednesday and emergency services officials have confirmed they responded to an emergency call regarding "a possible overdose".Now Dr Fran Walfish, the author of The Self-Aware Parent, tells WENN the youngster's apparent suicide attempt raises several issues.She says: "This month marks the fourth anniversary of her beloved father, Michael's, death. Anniversaries like this are particularly vulnerable times for surviving close family members. Paris's mother, Debbie Rowe has said Paris has 'a lot going on'. Certainly, we can all guess the possible reasons for her desperate actions."Here's the bottom line: No person attempts to end their life unless they feel there is no one available who truly understands and connects with them emotionally... Often, children's individual needs are missed. The takeaway here is that Paris will likely need good psychotherapy to develop a trust-based longterm relationship with someone who gets her."Dr Walfish, who has never had any dealings with Paris, urges the teen's family members to make plans for when she comes home from hospital."The family will need to provide 24/7 supervision and companionship so as to not risk another suicide attempt."Everyone must now set aside their personal battles and self-centred objectives and make Paris and her emotional health front and centre priority number one."People who feel no one understands them are vulnerable to wanting to join a beloved deceased parent or family member. Given Paris' personal circumstances and the anniversary of her father's death she was a high-risk candidate for suicide."