How To Talk To Someone Who Is Suicidal
World Suicide Prevention Day is on the 10th of September 2019. It’s a day that is meant to bring the topic of suicide out of the darkness where stigmas and misinformation keep it hidden. It is not an easy topic to discuss, but the harrowing statistics in South Africa alone tell us that we should be speaking about it openly and honestly.
In South Africa, one suicide is completed almost hourly. Globally, there are around 800,000 completed suicides a year. These numbers are also only detailing suicides that have been reported. There are many that go unnoticed and unreported because of the shame or anguish that a family experiences when a loved one takes their own life.
So, what can we do? One of the best ways to counteract suicidal tendencies is to talk about it. This has many powerful knock-on effects:
- By talking openly about suicide, you help people do the same
- In talking about suicide, it becomes less of a taboo topic, and something that people feel more comfortable to discuss
- Once people feel more comfortable talking about suicide, they are more likely to reveal their own depressive or suicidal thoughts
- Simply being able to speak about something that is troubling releases so much pressure
- Most people don’t realise that they are not alone and that many others around them experience the same trials and pressures in daily life
How To Talk To Someone Who Is Suicidal
If you know someone who you think might be suicidal, talking to them in an appropriate way is essential. Many people who feel suicidal don’t want to talk about it for fear of how they will be perceived. For this reason, it’s important to come across as supportive and non-judgmental.
It might be difficult for them to put into words how they feel. Simply listening, without comment, can often be the best medicine. Here are a few things you could do to help the person open up to you and possibly seek help:
- Take every suicide threat seriously. Don’t brush it off or think they are trying to seek attention
- Ask the person how they feel. You can be as specific as you need to be. This is not a time to be vague. It is ok to mention the word “suicide”, talking about it will not prompt them to do it
- Listen to them. Let them speak
- If you are unsure of how to respond, simply thank them for sharing something so personal
- Ask them if they would be willing to speak to a Care Centre consultant or Suicide Helpline Consultant who is trained to offer advice and assistance with these issues
- If they are too afraid to contact anyone, ask if you may contact them on their behalf
- If they refuse any form of assistance, and you are afraid they are still feeling suicidal, contact a loved one, friend or counsellor who will be willing to help you help them
If you are someone who has thought about suicide, or you know someone who is suicidal, or you simply want to be informed, our latest podcast with suicide survivor Daryl Brown talks about his personal experience and struggles with feeling depressed and how he attempted suicide. He also discusses how he finally found support and help for his mental illness. Listen to it on our home page.
We’ve put together a really informative infographic that details the numbers around suicide. Download it here, share it and help get people talking about suicide.
Photo by Barry Weatherall on Unsplash