My son knows about several things that kids his age do not. Why? I feel it's for his safety. Things that I need to know about if it happens, "strange" feelings thoughts, SI, drugs, and sex. All of these topics have come up as needed. Why? by 9 myself, husband or he was dealing with these topics. So we needed to open a line of communication rather young. These topics regularly come up in our home. It doesn't mean we say anything inappropriate just answered his question as honestly as possible then move on.

As for suicide I think your mom was trying to scare you. As for torture I know at lease one person doesn't realize it's not a common topic and will freely talk about it like someone would talk about the weather, or a recipe. It's worse when she's hypo-manic, the little girl has problems, but I love her.