My daughter who is only 12 has been on setraline 100 mg for 1 month. she is still having suicidal thoughts every few days. should her meds be changed?

Sertraline: I am sorry to hear this. A medication such sertraline may take 4 to 6 weeks to become optimized. So her meds might not need to be changed at this time - but make certain that her psychiatrist is aware of her suicide thoughts.

Major Depression: You are a very caring mother! I feel your distress. Sertraline is a medication for treatment of depression. Continued suicidal thoughts while taking Sertraline 100mg/day indicates need for Immediate Psychiatric Evaluation by a Child Psychiatrist for inpatient psychiatric treatment including benefits and side effects of medications, dose, monitoring of medication; Individual and Family Therapy.

See physician now: Your daughter should be seen by her treating physician immediately. If she becomes actively suicidal, get her to an emergency room immediately. She should be carefully evaluated by her treating Psychiatrist, and then all of you can determine if she needs hospitalization, wait and see, change of meds, review of diagnosis, and so on.

Reassess now: Your 12 yo daughter should not be left alone with recurring suicidal thoughts. Suggest you meet asap with treating doctor to review meds and treatment plan. You have a big responsibility as a parent if you choose to keep your daughter at home. Consider in-patient psychiatric hospitalization short-stay for your daughter. Goals: safety, in-depth diagnosis and stabilization of depression. Best wishes