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What Should I do If Someone Is Suicidal

(Reference extracts from Mental Health First Aid website http://www.mhfa.com.au)

Please refer to question on what to do in Mental Health Crisis. most people who have committed suicide have done so when they have been alone. The risk of suicide is greatly increased if the person has been drinking and continues to do, is left  alone and has ready access to the means (gun, tablets). In this state, the person macy act implulsively:

  1. Assess or ask directly if the person is at risk of suicide.
  2. If situation is life threatening or dangerous, call 000 for emergency services or call your local Mental Health Crisis Team or take the person to a Hospital Emergency Departemtn.
  3. If help has been called, stay with the person until help arrives.
  4. If emergency services are not needed, encourage/assist person to get appropriate professional help.
  5. Encourage the person to talk - listen without judgement. Be polite and respectful.
  6. If the person is consuming alcohol or drugs, try to help him/her from consuming any more.
  7. Try to ensure the person does not have ready access to some means to take their life.
  8. GiVe reassurance about the short term nature of feeling suicidal.
How can I tell if someone is feeling suicidal?

It is important that you know the warning signs of suicide. Signs a person may be suicidal:
  • threatening to hurt or kill themselves
  • looking for ways to kill themselves: seeking access to pills, weapons, or other means
  • talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
  • rage, anger,seeking revenge
  • acting recklessly or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
  • feeling trapped, like there's no way out
  • increasing alcohol or drug use
  • withdrawing from friends, family or society
  • anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
  • dramatic changes inmood
  • no reason forliving, no sense of purpose in life
How should I talk with someone who is suicidal?

It is important to:
  • tell the suicidal person that you care and that you want to help them
  • express empathy for the person and what they are goingthrough
  • clearly state that thoughts of suicide are often associated with a treateable mental disprder, as this may instil a sense of hope for the person.
  • tell the person that thoughts of suicide are common and do not have to be acted on.
Suicidal thoughts are often a plea for help and a desperate attempt to escape from problems and distressing feelings. You should encourage the suicidal person to do most of the talking, if they are able to. They need the opportunity to talk about their feelings and their reasons for wanting to die and may feel great relief at being able to do this. It may be helpful to talk about some of the specific problems the person is experiencing. Discussing ways  to deal with problems which seem impossible to cope with, but do not attempt to "solve" the problems yourself for suicide.

How can I tell if the situation is serious?

Firstly, you need to determine whther the person has definate intentions to take their life, or whether they have been having more vague suicidal thoughts such as "what's the point of going on?". To do this, you need to ask the person if they have a plan for suicide. The three questions you need to ask are:
  • have you decided how you will kill yourself?
  • have you decided when you will do it?
  • have you taken any steps to secure the things you would need to carry out your plan?
A higher level of planning indicates a more serious risk. However, you must remember that the absence of a plan is not enough to ensure the person's safety. All thoughts of suicide must be taken seriously. Next, you need to know about the following risk factors:
  • has the person been using alcohol or other drugs? The use of alcohol and other drugs can make a person more susceptible to acting on impulse.
  • has the person made a suicide attempt in the past? A previous suicide attempt makes a person more likely to make a future suicide attempt or to kill themselves. Once you have established that the risk of suicide is present, you need to take action to keep the person safe.
How can I keep the person safe?

A person who is actively suicidal should not beleft on their own. If you can't stay with them, you need to arrange for someone else to do so. In addition give the person a safety contact which is available at all times (such as a telephone help line, a friend or family member who has agreed to help, or a professional help giver).

It is important to help the sucidal person to think about peole or other things that have supported them in the past and find out if theses supports are still available. These might include a doctor, psychologist or other mental health worker, family member or friend, or a community group such as a club or church.

Do not use guilt and threats to prevent suicide. For example, do not tell the person they will go to hell if they die by suicide, or they will ruin people's lives by killing themselves.

What about professional help?

During the crisis.....
Mental Health professionals advocate always asking for professional help, especially if the person is psychotic. If the suicidal person has a weapon or is behaving aggressively towards you, you must seek assistance from the police in order to protect yourself. However, the person you are helping may be very reluctant to involve a professional and, if the person is close to you, you may be concerned about alienating them. In fact, some people who have experienced suicidal thoughts or who have made plans for suicide feel that professional help is not always necessary.

After the crisis has passed.....
After the suicide crisis has passed, ensure the person gets whatever psychological and medical help they need.

What if the person makes me promise not to tell anyone else?

You should never agree to keep a plan for suicide a secret. However, you should respect the person's right to privacy and involve them in decisions regarding who else knows about their suicidal intentions.

The person I am trying to help has injured themselves, but insists they are not suicidal. What should I do?

Some people injure themselves for reasons other than suicide. This may be to relieve unbearable anguish, to stop feeling numb, or other reasons. This can be distressing to see. There are guidelines in this series entitled First Aid guidelines for deliberate self - injury which can help you to understand and assist if this is occurring.

 

 

 

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