Supporting to prevent suicide part 1

 

•     It is possible it may give counselors untrue hope of reassurance, and threats to end their own life.

•      Substance abuse, too much, increasing,  Anxiety state Anxiety and mind.

•     Struggling to sleep, thinking all the time, Feeling trapped in their feelings and thoughts as if there is no way out.

•      Anger feeling out of control, easily irritated, recklessness, safety in risk, they may be in danger or a crisis.

•     Mood changes, mood swings. 

•     The person may need to talk to try and get things off their mind so give them a chance to do so.

•     If the problem has lasted a long time, they may not know how long they will be strong enough to cope.

•     If you are concerned the person may be in danger such as self–harm, overdose etc options could be to call the police, signpost them to the Samaritans, local mental health crisis lines such as Black country line 0345 – 6460827 wherever is near or see that they get to A&E. Think of your personal safety.

•      Avoid putting yourself at physical risk, mainly if people feel in distress and are threatened.

Ask them how they are feeling and coping etc.

Do they feel like giving up?

Are they thinking of dying?

Are they thinking of hurting themselves or have they, if so you need to call for medication help, 911, etc? This could mean suicide attempts eg; they have to take pills, self-harm, stab themselves, etc. Don't force them to say but if you sense a lot of upset in their voices call for help but if they are not with you ask where they are and get help as quickly as possible to them. If they are with they may show you a proof. 

Thinking about doing something and doing things are two different things but both are serious and must not be judged either way. 

They will feel negative without anyone making them more negative.

Never say why are you thinking of doing that or why did you do that, try to look into why the person is thinking and or feeling what they are, which may or not be anything other than thinking and or feeling very low in themselves to in some peoples' cases it might be something brief to just get a few things off her chest, whether it's small or big take it serious.

Are they thinking about suicide?

Have they tried it before or self-harmed before?

Have they thought about how and when?

If they are just having suicidal thoughts ask them if they have access to weapons, pills, etc, it doesn't necessarily mean they will even if they may be thinking about it but the question needs to be asked for their safety.

Never if you were going to do it you would have done it by now or and never say if you going to do it, you would have done it without saying anything to anybody. Suicide: What to do when someone is suicidal - Mayo Clinic

Warning signs, are if someone is saying, I wish I was dead, I wish I hadn't been born, the world is a better place without me,  I am a burden to everyone, etc. These sayings are very concerning, they can be said by anyone at any time but are more commonly said by people who have no choice but to depend on others a lot, which can make them feel not good about themselves, even though they shouldn't have felt that way but should not be judge either way. Such as people with disabilities, the elderly, etc. 

Some may be stocking up on pills, buying a gun, etc but even if they are not that doesn't necessarily mean there isn't anything to be concerned about, they still need to be taken seriously unless the person says they feeling fine themselves at some point, even then they still not be judged or made to feel ashamed in any way, as these things may come and go. It may be a situation that person may have thought wouldn't get sorted but then suddenly does get sorted somehow.

 They may try to avoid people, they know may not have seen for a certain  length of time

 time whether it is friends, family, people they work with, go to college with, some, one person, or everyone, this can vary, some people may see people not tell anyone or let on what are thinking, feeling, etc, don't judge it either way. Never bring on the chat about their social circle etc but listen if they say anything about it. 

They may be facing mood swings, where some people may shut themselves off from others so they don't want to take it out on them. Just to say just because someone may not be facing all the signs does not mean they not struggling so keep offering to help the person until the person is ready to stop. 

If there is a situation they may feel trapped in the situation they are in.

They may feel, think, etc hopeless, and helpless, ashamed, etc, it is your job to try and make them feel, think, etc the opposite but can only do so much. Never do what you can't. Never do what the person doesn't want. Mental health support could be therapy, medication, counseling, emotional support, etc. A-Z of mental health - Mind, if the person is at risk of dose make sure there is someone the person knows to look out for them, if not for any reason raise the concern to your manager, and let the person who and why.

There may be an increase if drugs and alcohol etc.

Change mood, diet, eating more or less, sleep, more, less, etc. 

They may be taking risks. 

Giving away belongings, making a will, putting affairs in order, etc. 

Listen out to what they are saying, don't force anything out of them, any concerns about what they are saying make a note of it, what is done depends on the concern and the person themselves. This could be raising the concern to your managers, referring the person somewhere, etc. 

If they are saying things like this will be the last time I will be seeing people I know etc, that calls for concern even if it may not be the case.

They may overthink, they may overreact, and something may seem worse than what is to them, don't judge that but raise the concern if they don't talk about it, something maybe worries them and make them feel stressed. If they don't say may be worried about the reactions of others, being a burden to others, etc. 

Don't leave alone,  Get help as soon as possible, if you have to go anywhere make sure someone is with them if they are with you. If this is a phone call, online ask where they are, and tell them to stay where call for help where is near them if we any reason they can't themselves where they may be very distressed for whatever reason, this could mean calling 911, 999, or their local hospital, mental health services near them, etc. Always go with the exscream of the problem whether it is mild, minor, or major. If it is a mild problem for eg; never call the hospital or 911, 999, etc unless you can't get in touch with anywhere else, try the hospital, even the police if needs be, if the person is in a situation they can't get help any other way.Talk To Someone Now : Lifeline (988lifeline.org) Lifeline Chat and Text : Lifeline (988lifeline.org) Home (veteranscrisisline.net) Chat (veteranscrisisline.net)