Resource Finder
Search
Results Coping After a Suicide Attempt
- View
-
- Topic
-
Coping After A Suicide Attempt
- Type
- Information Sheet
- Publisher
- SPINZ
How to Cope When People Come Home After Treatment for a Suicide Attempt
- Be around them;
- Don't leave them alone;
- Don't assume they know what they want - e.g., I want to be alone;
- Reassure them about their short term goals let them know you are there to help them find ways of regaining control of their life - and that that staying alive is a good short term goal;
- Don't take what they say word for word - its OK not to trust them entirely. This means not taking statements like "I'm OK… " at face value;
- Aftercare is as much supporting those involved as the victim - you need to ensure your own support is in place to enable you to offer help;
- Remember - at risk individuals and those contemplating suicide may become angry as others take action and demonstrate hope. Conflict with loved ones may escalate. These conflicts can be managed with the help of others and reliable resources;
- It does not mean the crisis is getting worse if people express more emotion. It does mean that the problem(s) is being more appropriately expressed than through the act of self harm;
- As a safety net is placed around the at risk person by others the message will be clear - self harm and suicide are unacceptable, no matter how stressful the emotions or conflicts - hope and help are available;
- If you are the primary caregiver for a person it is a good idea to talk to the health professional who treated them about what you can do to keep the person safe;
- The steps through which individuals take action and get others involved can be stressful and frightening. We always have the worry about whether getting involved and intervening will actually help or make the person more at risk. We may be frightened, others may become frightened when they are contacted. The at risk person will know this. We must act anyway;
- When we act the person at risk will see that such fear can be handled and managed by others. This is essential, even if the at risk person appears to get more agitated. Other areas of this guide outline and describe resources to contact for help. Contact as many as you need until you are satisfied that adequate support is in place. There is no one solution;
- Supporting people can be very hard work. Ensure you get enough support yourself and that you have someone to talk to as well;
- Each situation will require a unique set of actions. Sometimes it isn't even necessary to talk to the at risk person, communication can occur without words;
- When you are dealing with some one else's crises you cannot take responsibility for all the outcomes, nor can you control them;
- You cannot 'rescue' some one from their problems, and you can't take on problems on their behalf. What you can do is listen, to offer your time, and your ongoing support. But the ultimate responsibility for the outcome does not belong to you;
- Suicide happens when someone doesn't believe they have any skills left to cope with. The steps you can take are to try and help identify how the person can increase their ability to cope;
- Some of the best support you can offer is to listen to them. Here are some basic tips you can use to be a good listener:
- Don't be afraid of what they are saying. When some one actually starts to talk openly about personal problems, emotional distress, self harm or suicide it can feel very uncomfortable. Just listen openly and be calm.
- Don't try to solve their problems for them. Listening is something you can do without expecting to solve problems for the person. It shows that you care.
- Don't try to offer simple advice for serious problems. Offer to help them find out where to get help, information or resources. And remember what may seem like a straightforward problem to you may seem very serious to them.
- Don't judge what you are hearing, the person you are listening to or the situation or person they are talking about.
- Ask open-ended questions that allow them to talk. An open ended question is one that doesn't invite a yes no response, like 'so how do you feel now?' instead of 'do you feel OK?'
Top
Top
Page last updated: 11 February 2010
