World Suicide Prevention Day - Creating Hope Through Action

World Suicide Prevention day is the 10th September 2023. It is an opportunity for us to come together to think about how we can prevent unnecessary deaths, as suicide is preventable. We need to work together as protecting people against suicide is everyones responsibility. That includes therapists, doctors, friends, family, individuals, workplaces and other organisations or support services. Recent safeguarding guidelines from the British Psychological Society reiterate this message:

“Safeguarding is everybody’s business – everybody’s responsibility” (BPS Practice Briefing, 2022)

A snapshot of the data

There were 5,583 suicides registered in England and Wales in 2021 according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS website, Accessed 9th September 2023). Most of these deaths were of men. In females, the age range most affected was between 45 and 49 years (ONS, 2021 data).

Why does suicide happen?

People decide on suicide when they feel there is no other option for them but to die. There may be many complex contextual triggers for people, which may not be obvious to others around them. Suicidal thoughts and feelings are usually experienced before suicide, and they may fluctuate in intensity. People going through this may be experiencing a mental health problem such as depression or anxiety.??

What support is available for people, family and friends??

If someone feels suicidal, this as an urgent situation. The person feeling this way may believe they are alone in their experiences, so the quicker they seek help and get support, the better.?

For the individual:

• Talk as soon as you can to a trusted person - whether it is a friend, family member or a trusted professional such as your GP or a mental health professional. This is the most important step. Anyone over the age of 18 can self refer to NHS talking therapies, this website will support you to find your local services: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-NHS-talking-therapies-service/
• Remind yourself that there is hope, and thoughts and feelings can come and go - even though it may not feel this way.
• Use things to distract yourself, focus on things you can touch (a pet), hear (music or listening to sounds outside) and see right now (trees, a picture in your room, other people), when you get these thoughts. By moving our attention away from difficult thoughts it may not resolve everything but it can help shift your attention away from them so you can think more clearly about things even for a short period of time.?
• There are organisations who are available 24 hours a day, such as the Samaritans and you can contact them by email, phone or even by letter https://www.samaritans.org/
• Develop a safety plan, you can use the Samaritans self-help app to do this https://selfhelp.samaritans.org/ or work with a psychologist, trusted professional, friend or family member, to create one together
• If you feel out of control or that you might act on your thoughts, you must seek immediate medical help by going to A&E or you can contact the emergency services yourself.

For close others and workplaces:

• Open a dialogue with the individual about how they are feeling?
• Be non judgemental and supportive
• Take care of yourself as you may be worried or fearful for the individual
• Encourage the individual to engage with professionals
• Educate yourself in how to help someone who is suicidal, and give them practical signposting information about support. The NHS website has advice which you can use https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/help-for-suicidal-thoughts/
• The Samaritans have specific advice for people concerned about a loved one who may be at risk of suicide https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/how-support-someone-youre-worried-about/
• If you are ever concerned that the individual might hurt themselves, you can take them to A&E or contact the emergency services yourself.

How can talking therapy help?

Talking therapy is a safe way to express and learn how to manage suicidal thoughts and feelings. Psychologists and other types of therapists are trained in how to speak to people who feel this way. They will do so in a calm and non-judgemental way. If someone feels emotions such as shame or guilt, or if there are problems in the person's life which have built up, talking to a psychologist might be a way to think differently about the situation. Usually the psychologist would support the person in creating a comprehensive safety plan, so the person has ideas about how to deal with their thoughts and feelings if they intensify. Talking therapy can also help by addressing the core psychological difficulties or challenges which have led to the person feeling this way in the first place. This process may take several weeks or months depending on the person's needs. Psychologists also understand what other support individuals may need, such as psychiatric input or support with an addiction, if necessary. It is absolutely possible to feel differently about life with the right support.?

References

BPS (2022). Safeguarding across the lifespan - every psychologist's responsibility. Accessed online at https://cms.bps.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-09/Safeguarding%20across%20the%20lifespan.pdf

ONS data. Accessed online at https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2021registrations