Special Events
- Mark Discussion as New
- Mark Discussion as Read
- Float this Discussion for Current User
- Favourite
- Subscribe
- Printer Friendly Page
- Mark as New
- Favourite
- Subscribe
- Get link
- Flag for Moderator
21-08-2015 08:29 PM
21-08-2015 08:29 PM
Topic Tuesday - *closed* - Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide
The idea that your loved one is feeling that they want to end their life can be very confronting. Many people often feel at a loss knowing how to care for someone who is at risk of suicide. What help is available? How can keep your loved one safe? What are the warning signs? How do you start a conversation with them?
It can be overwhelming and distressing knowing what to do. Carers can play an important role in providing support to their loved who is at risk of suicide, yet at the same time, it is hard to know where to start, and it can be hard reaching out for help.
This Topic Tuesday will feature Sarah Coker, Suicide Prevention manager, from SANE Australia, who will share information and offer advice about how to care for someone who is at risk of sucide. She has worked and researched the experiences of people who have been suicidal (see the video below), and brings a wealth of practical advice.
Whether you are just recognising the signs, or have been through it, and supported someone through it, your contribution, experience and thoughts are encouraged.
Click 'like' if you are going to be there.
- Mark as New
- Favourite
- Subscribe
- Get link
- Flag for Moderator
25-08-2015 07:00 PM - edited 25-08-2015 07:36 PM
25-08-2015 07:00 PM - edited 25-08-2015 07:36 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide
Good evening @Yogi77 @Former-Member @coffeegirl @Eagle @3forme, and anyone else viewing this discussion. Welcome to this month's Topic Tuesday. It's certainly not the most lightest of topics to discuss, but it is indeed an important conversation to have.
I am delighted to welcome our guest tonight, Sarah.
@sarah250, I imagine that it might be difficult for some people to know if someone is suicidal. What are the warning signs?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
If at anytime throughout the conversation you feel overwhelmed, please don't hestitate to take a step back, and get in contact with emergency services:
Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Crisis Chat
Suicide call back service: 1300 659 467 or online counselling
Mensline 1300 789 978 <if relevant>
If in immediate danger: 000
- Mark as New
- Favourite
- Subscribe
- Get link
- Flag for Moderator
25-08-2015 07:06 PM
25-08-2015 07:06 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide
• Talking about suicide
• Substance abuse
• Seeking methods to suicide
• Feeling trapped
• Hopelessness
• Anger
• Helplessness
• Feeling like a burden
• Recklessness
• Depression
• Sleep disturbance
• Social withdrawal/ isolation
• Anxiety or agitation
• Giving away possessions
The most concerning signs to watch for are:
• The person talks about wanting to die
• They have a plan for how they will take their life
• They have access to means to carry out that plan
- Mark as New
- Favourite
- Subscribe
- Get link
- Flag for Moderator
25-08-2015 07:10 PM
25-08-2015 07:10 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide
What should someone do if they notice some of these warning signs? Sometimes, people can feel worried about bringing up suicide with someone as it might plant a seed. Should this be a concern?
- Mark as New
- Favourite
- Subscribe
- Get link
- Flag for Moderator
25-08-2015 07:22 PM
25-08-2015 07:22 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide
If you the person has been thinking about suicide talk to them and attempt to understand how severe their thoughts of suicide are. Encourage your loved one to access support for themselves with your help. If the suicidal thoughts are not severe, you might make encourage them to make a doctors appointment and take them to the appointment. You could also encourage them to call the Suicide call back service 1300 659 467 or Lifeline 13 11 14 which are both available 24 hours. If the thoughts of suicide are strong or overwhelming, is important to get them immediate help.
• Call 000 for emergency services
• Remove any means of suicide
• Don’t leave the person until emergency services arrive
- Mark as New
- Favourite
- Subscribe
- Get link
- Flag for Moderator
25-08-2015 07:30 PM
25-08-2015 07:30 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide
That's an important thing to know - that talking about suicide does not increase the risk of suicide.
You mentioned that if we are concerned about someone who is suicidal, we should attempt to understand how severe their thoughts are. What is the difference between severe, and not so severe?
- Mark as New
- Favourite
- Subscribe
- Get link
- Flag for Moderator
25-08-2015 07:40 PM
25-08-2015 07:40 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide
A more serious situation is when a person is feeling so hopeless and helpless that they have a plan for ending their life. Perhaps they are finding it difficult to see any reasons for living or might feel like they are a burden on others. If they also have access to means to carry out their plan, then that is the most the most risky situation and they need immediate help and to be kept safe and away from any means of suicide that they have.
I should also add that if drugs or alcohol are involved this can escalate risk and make the need for help from emergency services more likely.
- Mark as New
- Favourite
- Subscribe
- Get link
- Flag for Moderator
25-08-2015 07:43 PM
25-08-2015 07:43 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide
Thanks for talking about this sensitive issue.
I wouldn't even know how to broach the conversation. How do you start the conversation?!
- Mark as New
- Favourite
- Subscribe
- Get link
- Flag for Moderator
25-08-2015 07:43 PM
25-08-2015 07:43 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide
I think thats really important for we as carers to know. Sometimes our loved ones constantly talk about suicide and can bring up the subject several times in a day. Its scary for us to try and work it out.
- Mark as New
- Favourite
- Subscribe
- Get link
- Flag for Moderator
25-08-2015 07:45 PM
25-08-2015 07:45 PM
Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide
I see, so it's the extend to which it suicidal thinking it thought out and planned. The more planned, and helpless and hopeless they are, the more severe, is that right?
I imagine it's hard coming to terms with the fact that someone is thinking about ending their life. Can you provide some reasons why they might feel this way?