It S OK to Talk About Feeling Suicidal

It’s OK to Talk about feeling suicidal

Most people who die by suicide are of working age. The causes of suicide are complex. Individuals who experience the following may be at risk of suicide:

·  personal pressures such as financial difficulties, relationship problems, health concerns, or problems at work;

·  feelings of hopelessness or despair;

·  thoughts that people would be better off if you were not around.

Warning Signs

Individuals who are at risk of suicide may be experiencing some of the following:

·  talking about death or suicide;

·  sudden change in mood and/or behaviour;

·  loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities;

·  increased agitation;

·  increase in drug and alcohol use;

·  engaging in risk taking behavior;

·  engaging in aggressive, impulsive and/or violent acts;

·  expressions of hopelessness and purposelessness;

·  lack of self care or neglect of self;

·  changes in eating and sleeping patterns;

·  withdrawal from family, friends, colleges, and interests;

·  giving away treasured possessions and/or making a will.

Help is available

It is overwhelming to feel so hopeless that it feels like life is not worth living. It is important to remember that you are not alone. Below are some simple steps that may help you in a crisis:

·  Talk to someone you trust – your General Practitioner, a counsellor from your work Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), a trusted friend or a telephone counselling service.

·  Avoid being alone – try and get involved in an activity you enjoy. This is a good way to distract yourself from these feelings.

·  Set yourself small goals.

·  Recognise individual accomplishments.

It is also important to know how you can help someone else

Below are some suggestions of how you might support someone you know who may be at risk:

·  Stay calm and ask the person if they are thinking of suicide. People are often fearful that asking about suicide may introduce the thought to the person. This is a myth.

·  Spend time with the person, encourage them to talk about how they are feeling and to get further professional help.

·  Don’t agree to keep it a secret. The person’s safety is your main concern. You may need to talk to someone else to make sure that the person is safe.

Remember, most people who consider taking their own life get through the crisis.

After a suicide

The loss of a colleague to suicide may leave questions of “why?” or “what could I have done?” Those left behind may experience emotions including shock, disbelief, denial, regret, anger, shame, sadness, rejection, yearning, despair, blaming, detachment, loss of confidence and guilt.

You can support colleges by

·  Listening to their story without judgement. You cannot change their pain, but you can let them know that you are there to support them.

·  Encouraging distressed colleagues to seek counselling and support through mangers or EAP.

·  Being a role model for healthy grieving. It’s okay to acknowledge your own feelings regarding the loss of a colleague, and possibly even speak about your own coping strategies.

·  Being sensitive to anniversaries and other milestone dates, while not memorialising the death in a dramatic or glorified fashion

If you think that someone is in immediate danger, stay with them, call beyondblue
1300 22 4636 Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

Additional sources of support: www.health.act.gov.au/suicideprevention