How to help someone at
risk of suicide
It can be frightening to know that someone you care about is suicidal. Here is an ABCD list of how to help them. Overcoming your fear or discomfort with the subject can save someones life!
If you suspect someone may be feeling suicidal, ask them it could save their life. You may be afraid to ask in case you put the idea in their head, but by asking a direct caring question you will most likely find the suicidal person will be
THINGS TO AVOID
Ignoring the problem, not believing them, daring them to go ahead, judging them, or expecting them to pull themself together
Take what they say seriously, believe them. Listen
ASSESS THEIR DISTRESS
Have they thought about when or
how to do it? Have they tried before?
well pay attention to what they say and dont judge them. Be empathic and encourage them to talk. Reflect back to them what they have said in your own words, firstly to make sure you
understand how they are feeling and secondly to let them know that they are heard. Express your love, acceptance and concern.
relieved to talk about it.
Get some professional help for them
INVOLVE OTHERS
Don't try to handle the crisis alone
doctor, contact the local mental health centre, or if the case is more urgent, call 000. Dealing with suicide can be difficult, make sure that you have support for yourself.
Wait till some help has been found. Dont be bound by any promise to keep this secret, their life is at stake and they need to have help. If possible remove whatever means they said they would use.
Why do some people consider suicide?
To escape from a painful and stressful situation in life
To relieve the burden they feel they place on others
To punish themselves or others
To gain attention
As a cry for help
To join those who have died before them
Myths about Suicide
The people who talk about it dont do it
Only a crazy person would do it
If someone is going to kill himself, nothing will stop them
People who commit suicide are unwilling to find help
Only a particular age group or economic status will do it
How do suicidal people feel?
Isolated and alone
Unloved, unwanted, useless
Hopeless, helpless, incapable of changing
A failure not as good as everyone else
They cant meet high expectations their own or others
No one else understands them
Overwhelming pain
No one can help
There is no way out of their problem
What risk factors are there?
Depression and mental illness
Previous suicide attempts or self harm
Having friends or family die through suicide
Being subject to abuse
Major stress such as relationship problems, peer pressure, finance, isolation, loss, ill health, failures, chronic pain
Alcohol or drug abuse
What warning signs are there?
Mention of suicide the world would be better off without me
Loss of interest in daily activities, declining performance at work
Marked change in habits sleeping, eating, mood.
Withdrawal from friends, sadness, crying, bleak outlook
Giving away possessions
Extreme feeling of guilt, blame, no self esteem
Inappropriately saying goodbye
Statistics for 2005
More people die through suicide than in transport accidents
Males are almost 4 times more likely than females to die by suicide, though more females attempt suicide
The highest number of suicide deaths for males was observed in the age group 30 to 34 years, followed by males aged 40 to 44 years. The highest number of suicide deaths for females was in the age group 35 to 39 years, followed by females aged 45 to 49 years.
1.6% of all deaths in Australia were due to suicide
The percentage of deaths due to suicide in relation to the total number of deaths from all causes differs greatly among some age groups and between males and females. In particular, suicide accounted for approximately 27% of all male deaths and 17% of all female deaths for the 20 to 24 year age group. It also accounted for 24% of all male deaths and 20% of female deaths for the 25 to 29 year age group.
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