WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY | 10 SEPTEMBER 2018
The World Health Organisation’s statistics reveal that approximately 800,000 people die each year due to committing suicide, and that for every adult who has died as a result of suicide there may have been over 20 more who have attempted to take their own life. (WHO: 2016)
IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE TO CHANGE A LIFE
A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that does not mean that they don’t want to be helped. As family or friends, we can all help to look out for those who may be struggling in this way. If you suspect that a family member or friend is feeling suicidal, don’t stay quiet for fear of upsetting them or overstepping a boundary*. Talking openly to someone about their suicidal thoughts and feelings could save their life. This supportive attitude is reflected in the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day 2018 (10 September 2018), Take a minute, change a life.
*If you think a child is in immediate danger, please don’t delay to call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or the police on 999.
WARNING SIGNS
Suicide is a desperate attempt to end suffering. People who try to take their own life are often trying to escape from a situation that seems impossible to bear. Many people who attempt suicide are seeking for release from feeling like a burden to others, or feeling guilty and ashamed. They may be feeling like a victim, or be suffering from feelings of rejection, loss or loneliness.
Here are some warning signs that may help you to establish if someone close to you is a suicide risk – especially if their behaviour is unusual or has escalated, or seems related to a painful event in their life.
- Extreme mood swings
- Rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Withdrawing from people
- An increased use of drugs or alcohol
- Anxiety or agitated behaviour, or behaving recklessly
- Talk about being a burden to others
- Talk about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talk about feeling unbearable emotional pain
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
HOW TO HELP
The best way to find out if someone close to you is suicidal is to ask them. Talking to them about it will not make this person take their life. In fact, giving them the opportunity to express their feelings may provide them with relief from loneliness or a build-up of negative feelings, and could help to prevent a suicide attempt. Here are some pointers to guide you in helping someone who is suicidal:
- Be yourself. Finding the perfect words to show your concern for your friend is not essential. Your concern will show itself in your tone and manner.
- Listen. Don’t interrogate the person or offer a way to fix their problems. Let the suicidal person air their feelings. No matter how negative the conversation seems, the fact that you are talking together is a positive sign.
- Be calm and non-judgmental. Talk openly and matter-of-factly. Make it clear that they are not to feel guilty about the effect their words will have on you.
- Offer hope. Let the person know that they are important to you. Reassure them that help is available and that their suicidal feelings are short-term.
- Encourage professional help. Do everything you can to get a suicidal person the help they need. Encourage them to seek professional help, to give a therapist or counsellor the opportunity to explore what is taking place for them, and to help them with mechanisms for coping.
- Evaluate the situation. If a suicide attempt seems likely to occur, call a local crisis centre or take the person to an emergency room.
HOW TO HELP YOURSELF
If you are helping someone who is suicidal, don’t forget to take care of yourself. It takes a lot of courage to walk the road with a person who is dealing with thoughts about ending their life, and this can stir up many complex emotions. Find someone who you trust, such as a friend or counsellor, to talk to about your own feelings.
RESOURCES
The Samaritans support service anytime on 116 123 (freephone)
The PAPYRUS HOPELineUK for young people on 0800 068 41 41
The CALL Helpline (Wales) on 0800 132 737 or text ‘help’ to 81066