It’s safe to talk about suicide Karen Oldham-Waring Mental Health Promotion Co-ordinator Public Mental Health, Cornwall Council Thursday, 10 September Health Promotion Service Cornwall Council

In your packs you will find a leaflet called ‘It’s safe to talk about suicide’. This leaflet has been designed by a group of South West services to help explain: What the warning signs are Why it’s important to ask What to say What to do next Thursday, 10 September 2015 Health Promotion Service Cornwall Council 2

What are the warning signs..? They MAY be: Quiet Brooding Withdrawn or distant Not making eye contact Agitated Irritable or rude Drinking a lot Talking about suicide or saying it’s all hopeless They may ALSO be: Busy Chirpy Living life as normal Going to work Laughing and joking Talking about future plans Telling you not to worry about them Thursday, 10 September 2015 Health Promotion Service Cornwall Council 3

Is it really safe to talk about suicide…? Yes! Evidence tells us that if someone is feeling suicidal, they are likely to be feeling: –Cut off from everyone around them –Frightened or ashamed about wanting to die –Desperate for help but afraid to ask –Confused about where or how to access help Thursday, 10 September 2015 Health Promotion Service Cornwall Council 4

Some common fears… “Won’t talking about suicide put the idea in their head?” NO. If a person is suicidal, the idea is already there. If they aren’t suicidal, it won’t do any harm. “What if I say the wrong thing? It could damage our relationship.” Showing a person you care about them won’t damage your relationship. Saying nothing could result in losing them forever. Thursday, 10 September 2015 Health Promotion Service Cornwall Council 5

You can help by asking about suicide Why…? A person at risk may need someone to start the conversation with them and being open and strong enough to ask will: –Give them permission to talk about how they feel –Show them they are not alone –Provide an opportunity for them to explain what has happened/is happening/is going to happen Thursday, 10 September 2015 Health Promotion Service Cornwall Council 6

What to say… Explore how they’re feeling Listen attentively Don’t deny what they’re telling you, and don’t pretend you know how they feel Ask the ‘S’ question –Be direct –Be confident –Be succinct Thursday, 10 September 2015 Health Promotion Service Cornwall Council 7

Thursday, 10 September 2015 Health Promotion Service Cornwall Council 8 To help someone at risk… You do need to be: –Non judgemental –A good listener –Patient –Persistent –Caring –Confident –Human –Aware of available resources in order to signpost You do not need to be: –A therapist –A counsellor –A healthcare professional –Medically qualified –A paramedic!

What to do next… Make sure they are not left alone Disable any plan Seek help immediately: –GP/999 –Help lines –Friends/Family Take care of yourself too: –Talk to someone to offload your experience Thursday, 10 September 2015 Health Promotion Service Cornwall Council 9

Resources You can find a list of useful resources at: Thank you. Thursday, 10 September 2015 Health Promotion Service Cornwall Council 10