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SUICIDE

Should it really be spoken about ......!!

Suicide, is a really uncomfortable word......

But the truth is many people see no other option, maybe thats something that you don't - Can't - Won't understand?

Talking to people who have survived and come through the experience helps others understand.

Suicide Reduction is such an important aim.

It is a devastating event for those who die and those who survive attempts, it is also devastating for families, friends and others involved

Suicide can only be reduced by effective communication and partnership working
 

Is it really a big problem?

  • Globally every 3 seconds someone attempts to take their own life
  • Globally every 30 seconds someone succeeds
  • Approximately 1,000,000 (one million) people die every year by suicide, that is higher than the combined number of deaths form all murders and wars
  • In England 4727 people died by suicide in 2013, this compares to 1430 deaths on the road in 2013.
  • In reality the number in thought to be higher......
  • Suicide continues to be more than three times as common in males (13.8 per 100,000 for males in 2011-13, compared to 4.0 for females).
  • The numbers and rates of suicide and undetermined deaths vary between age groups, with rates among males highest for those aged 35-54 years and among females, highest for those aged 40-59 years.

Yes, it is a large scale problem, that we need to acknowledge and talk about in order to reduce the number of deaths.
 

How can I help?

Listen to people, really listen and use open questions instead of closed ones

avoid "Yes" or "No" answers use TED questions

T - Tell me

E - Explain to me

D - Describe ...

  • Be natural and direct
  • Don't be afraid of silence or a pause in he conversation
  • Keep the dialogue open
  • Don't make assumptions
  • B e yourself - try not to be shocked
  • Listen and listen again
     

You can make a difference..!!

Don’t be afraid to discuss suicide – you won’t put thoughts into people’s minds that aren’t there already

You don’t need to be an expert


Your human qualities can make all the difference


Get help – refer appropriately


Look after yourself

FACT:- People who commit suicide usually talk about it first; they are in pain and reach out for help; they do not know what to do and have lost hope.  Always take talk about suicide seriously

FACT:- People who talk about wanting to die by suicide often kill themselves

FACT:- Very often there are warning signs

FACT:- Suicide can (sometimes) be prevented; most people who are suicidal do not want to die; they just want to end the pain

MYTH: - People who attempt and survive often make additional attempts

FACT: - Anyone could attempt suicide; many, but not all, are depressed; there are good and effective treatments for depression, and people recover

FACT:- Many “strong” people die by suicide

FACT:- Asking these type of questions does not give people ideas that they don’t already have; detailed questions can allow someone to start talking about their feelings and diffuse some of the tension that is causing the suicidal feelings

FACT:- Suicide is rarely the result of one thing but rather a series of events and triggers from the life and surroundings of the suicidal person

FACT:- Suicide takes courage, so it’s factually incorrect, but much more importantly, stating this myth is a very good way of making sure no-one says anything to you ever about suicidal thoughts or feelings

FACT:- Suicide is the leading cause of death for young men, and the third leading cause for young women, aged 15 – 24; suicide under the age of 10 is very rare, but not unknown

If you ask a “pussyfoot” question you will get a “pussyfoot” answer

–Eg “How bad do you feel?” “Pretty bad”

–Or “You aren’t thinking about doing anything silly, are you?”  “No, of course not!”

So ask directly

–Eg “Have you thought about suicide/killing yourself?”

–Or “Have you thought about taking your own life?”