If someone has thoughts of harming themselves, the most important thing they can do is to seek out support, says Greg Gibson, registered clinical psychologist at Community Health Services for the Prairie Mountain Health Region based in Brandon, Man.
This can be extremely difficult, particularly for someone struggling with depressive symptoms, since they may be plagued with negative thoughts, including: “What’s the use? Nothing will work anyway,” or “I don’t want to bother anyone. I’m not worth it.”
Having people you can talk to and a good support network is vital protection against both self-harm and suicidal thinking. Talking about the inner feelings that fuel your self-harm is potentially useful whoever you talk to, but counsellors are professionally trained to work with self-harm and will support you in finding constructive alternatives.
When someone says he or she is thinking about suicide, ask questions. Be sensitive, but ask direct questions, such as: How are you coping with what’s been happening in your life? Do you ever feel like just giving up? Are you thinking about hurting yourself? Are you thinking about suicide? Have you thought about how you would do it? Do you know when you would do it? Do you have the means to do it? Asking about suicidal thoughts or feelings won’t push someone into doing something self-destructive and may reduce the risk of the person acting on suicidal feelings.
Look for warning signs, such as: the person talking about death or suicide (such as “I’m going to kill myself,” “I wish I were dead,” or “I wish I hadn’t been born”) and being preoccupied with death, dying or violence; getting the means to commit suicide, such as buying a gun or stockpiling pills; withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone; having mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next; feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation; increasing use of alcohol, drugs, or other risky behaviours; giving away belongings or getting affairs in order; saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seen again; and behavioural changes, such as increased anxiety or agitation.
Read Also
Riding the tariff rollercoaster
Farmers are accustomed to roller-coaster years. But the current geopolitical windstorm is something else entirely. On his cattle operation near…
More from the Country Guide website: The hidden farm illness
Then get help. If a friend or family member talks or behaves in a way that makes you believe he or she might commit suicide, don’t try to handle the situation without help — get help from a trained professional as quickly as possible. The person may need to be hospitalized until the suicidal crisis has passed. If possible, tell a family member or friend right away what’s going on. If suicidal risk is imminent, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room yourself. If you believe that risk is imminent, it is important to not leave the person alone.
It is also important for the friend or family member to practice self-care and get support themselves, Gibson says. Loved ones and friends who are managing and supporting someone with depression and suicidal urges can fall into burnout and depression themselves. It is important that these supporters also find support and assistance themselves.
