People who are suicidal do not necessarily want to die, but they do not want to continue like this. So suicide is a kind of way out. This article describes how the environment of a suicidal person can best deal with this.
Run-up
People often do not realize that almost half a million people think about suicide. The definition of suicidality is as follows: inclined to be concerned with ending one’s life in thoughts and/or words and/or actions. So performing or attempting to perform falls into a different category. This category is called suicidal ideation, actively contemplating and thinking about suicide. People who think about suicide often feel misunderstood and think they are alone. It is often not known in the area that someone is thinking about suicide.
Attempted suicide
Suicide = suicide
- Behavior with fatal consequences
- Consequence of action initiated and performed by the person
- Action taken with knowledge or expectation of the outcome
- Action intended for desired change
Suicide attempt
- Behavior without fatal outcome
- Injury, taking too much medication
- Action taken with knowledge or expectation of the outcome
- Intended for desired change
- 410,000 people think about suicide
- 94,000 people attempt suicide
- 9,200 people are admitted with injuries
- 1,600 people commit successful suicide
Reasons for suicide
Suicide does not come without a reason. There is always an identifiable reason or a combination of different reasons. It is often due to stress, often caused by money problems and relationship problems. A list of common reasons:
- No (well) paying job
- Low income
- Busy/stress of the big city (no social control)
- Negative events
- Emotionally unstable
- Less social support
- Mood, anxiety, or alcohol disorder
- Previous suicidal ideation/attempt
- Mental disorder
Suspicions
If you suspect that someone is suicidal, it is important not to ignore this. It is useful to check a number of things first:
- Consider why you think someone is suicidal.
- Where does that feeling come from?
- Are there also concrete signals? Or is it intuition?
- Ask colleagues or friends if they also feel anxious.
- Start the conversation.
- If necessary, hire someone who is more qualified than you.
People who are suicidal benefit from talking about it. This way, these people feel that they are heard/understood. If you don’t dare to have the conversation yourself, seek professional help. Many people hesitate to have such a conversation, they are afraid that the conversation will stir something up or stimulate suicidal ideas. It is difficult to start and have such a conversation. What is the best way?
The conversation
Starting the conversation yourself is considered very difficult. Below is a good overview of different questions and attitudes to start the conversation:
- Ask if you can sit with someone and begin.
- Take plenty of time.
- Show interest and listen.
- Tell us about your idea that the patient is having a hard time.
- Ask about the suicidal thoughts (how long, how strong).
- Help with expressing feelings.
- Accept his feelings.
- End the conversation and, if desired, say that you will make an appointment for him to see a doctor to discuss further.
The specialist will more or less perform the following topics and actions:
- Contact a doctor.
- Ask for an emergency consultation.
- Stay calm and friendly.
- Explain why you are staying with the patient.
- Maintain contact with the patient.
- Take protective measures.
- Inform family.
- Take care of loved ones.
- Asks about possible reasons and underlying thoughts.
- Arrange help for loved ones.
Attempt
If someone attempts suicide, you should consult a specialist or emergency service as soon as possible. In an acute case you can also be of value yourself:
- Place patient within sight.
- Keep in touch.
- Consult with psychiatrist and other professionals about safety measures.
- Take protective measures in the event of unconsciousness, delirium, intoxication such as: locking window or balcony door, securing the bed in the lowest position, side rails, removing cables and cords, etc., remove dangerous objects such as sharp objects (glass, knife), do not take medication yourself, leave the light on.
- Inform immediate relatives.
If it concerns someone who is close to you, for example in the family sphere, you can be of great value after the attempt. Important matters are:
- Extra attention, for example through short conversations.
- Involve other disciplines.
- Provide distraction and provide pleasant activities.
- If necessary and if possible, engage activity guidance.