Do you know someone who may be suicidal?
You can do something to help prevent suicide
Most people with thoughts of suicide want to talk about it. They want to live – but desperately need someone to hear their pain and offer them help to keep safe.
If you think that someone you know may be at risk of suicide it is important to let them know that they are not alone and that help is available. You don’t have to have all of the answers but sometimes just listening is a good start. You can also help by finding out information on what resources and services are available for a person who is considering suicide.
What to look out for:
Situations:
Whats happening in the person life? Have they experienced any life changes recently?
- Recent loss (a loved one, a job, an income/ livelihood, a relationship, a pet)
- Major disappointment (failed exams, missed job promotions)
- Change in circumstances (separation/ divorce, retirement, redundancy, children leaving home)
- Mental disorder or physical illness/ injury
- Suicide of a family member, friend or a public figure
- Financial and/ or legal problems.
Feelings:
How does the person feel about their life?Events and life changes can be difficult and sometimes devastating. Most people who experience them don't consider suicide, but some do. Be aware of:
- How does the person feel about their life?
- What it means to them
- Whether the pain feels bearable
Behaviours:
People at risk of suicide usually give clues by the way they behave. These may include:
- Previous suicide attempts
- Being moody, sad and withdrawn
- Talking of feeling hopeless, helpless or worthless
- Taking less care of themselves and their appearance
- Losing interest in things they previously enjoyed
- Difficulty concentrating and/ or sleeping
- Being more irritable or agitated
- Talking or joking about suicide/ death
- Expressing thoughts about death through drawings, stories, songs etc.
- Saying goodbye to others and/ or giving away possessions
- Engaging in risky or self -destructive behaviour
- Increasing alcohol/ drug use
If you think someone you know may be at risk of suicide then
Tell them what you have noticed – share your concern
- Ask them directly if they are thinking about suicide
- Listen to their pain – what’s on their mind and why it matters so much to them
- Provide personal support that helps keep them safe
- Seek further help – from family and friends, from people who care, from a local GP, a counsellor or a psychologist
Learn to become suicide aware and learn suicide first aid
If someone was at risk of suicide, could you read the signs inviting your help?
If you were concerned, would you have the confidence to ask about suicide?
If they had thoughts of suicide, how would you assist them to keep safe and get more help?
Learn these suicide first aid skills by attending a LivingWorks ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) 2-day workshop. You can help also help someone at risk of suicide by becoming more suicide aware. Find out about the LivingWorks’ half day suicide awareness programs safeTALK and suicideTALK
Train to become a volunteer Telephone Crisis Supporter
Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis support service needs volunteers every hour of every day to answer calls. You can help provide this vital community service. Find out more about what’s involved in training and becoming a volunteer Telephone Crisis Supporter in a local Lifeline Centre near you.
Help a mate…
If you think your mate might need help, learn more about the different types of help that are available, useful links, and helpful phone numbers by visiting the
MTAA readthesigns website.
You can also: