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Topic Tuesday - closed - Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

CherryBombSenior Contributor21 Aug 2015, 8:29 pm AEST

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl7X7t7Mga4

42 replies

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In response to: Topic Tuesday - *closed* - Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

CherryBombSenior Contributor25 Aug 2015, 7:00 pm AEST

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.

@Former-Member, 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

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

Unknown userMember25 Aug 2015, 7:06 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

Hi CherryBomb thanks so much for having me on the carers forum as a guest. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if someone is thinking about suicide, they might feel scared, overwhelmed or afraid of what might happen if they open up about how they are feeling. However some of the warning signs to watch for that might indicate someone is thinking of suicide are:

• 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

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

CherryBombSenior Contributor25 Aug 2015, 7:10 pm AEST

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?

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

Unknown userMember25 Aug 2015, 7:22 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

If you are concerned that someone might be thinking about ending their life, it’s important to ask questions and take action. Talking about suicide will not increase the risk that the person will take their life or plant a seed. If someone has been thinking of suicide it will most likely be a huge relief to finally be able to talk about it.

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

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

CherryBombSenior Contributor25 Aug 2015, 7:30 pm AEST

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?

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

Unknown userMember25 Aug 2015, 7:40 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

Yes it's important to know the difference between severe and not so severe thoughts of suicide. Sometimes a person might be thinking about suicide in a general way - they feel so terrible that they are finding the pain difficult to bear but they don't necessarily want to die. Perhaps they recognize that they have reasons to live like family, friends, work or a beloved pet. So although they are in a bad state they do not have a specific plan to die and they don't have access to the means to take their life.

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.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

EagleSenior Contributor25 Aug 2015, 7:43 pm AEST

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?!

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

3formeSenior Contributor25 Aug 2015, 7:43 pm AEST

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.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday 25/08 7pm AEST- Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

CherryBombSenior Contributor25 Aug 2015, 7:45 pm AEST

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?

In response to: Topic Tuesday - *closed* - Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

ShadowSenior Contributor25 Aug 2015, 7:48 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday - open now - Caring for someone who is at risk of suicide

I have a friend who has made multiple attempts over the last 10 years and the health service now treats her like she is wasting their time . I have taken her to hospital many times and they have let her go, on a few occasions she has gone back the next day after severe od and other times she has just stayed in bed.

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Aboriginal flag

Torres Strait Islander flag

Transgender flag

SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.