Talking to young people about suicide Strategies to keep safe from suicide
If you ask someone about suicide, you might put the idea into his/her head People who tell you they are thinking about suicide will never actually do it Most of the time, there are no warning signs that someone is thinking about suicide People who aren’t trained to talk about suicide shouldn’t ask about it
Suicide myths
Suicide myths
True or False? Young people who identify as LGBTQ are more likely to die by suicide Young people who engage in deliberate self-harm want to die
Suicide kills more young people than road accidents in Australia
NOTICE invitations and ASK • We are not mind readers. It is often difficult to notice a person may be thinking about suicide.
• Any ideas why someone with thoughts about suicide would be careful about who they tell about their thoughts about suicide? And why they might not be that direct in telling?
NOTICE invitations and ASK
How do I know someone may be thinking about suicide?
What do I need to look out for to make me wonder, “Could suicide be involved here?” There are different types of ways people might offer invitations (note- avoid ‘warning signs’). These can be put into categories. Actions we can see, talk we can hear, feelings we can sense and life situations we can learn.
What are some examples of actions or behaviours we might see in someone thinking about suicide?
What are some examples of things we might HEAR someone saying who may be thinking about suicide? What are some examples of feelings we might sense from a person who may be thinking about suicide? What are some life situations we might learn about someone who may be thinking about suicide?
NOITCE
Notice
How do I ask someone if they are thinking about suicide? ASK
“When someone is [invitations], they are sometimes thinking about suicide. Are you thinking about suicide?” E.g. “Sometimes, when people skip school, stop hanging out with their friends and get drunk all the time, they can be thinking about suicide. Are you thinking about suicide?”
LISTEN
we are listening?
What are some reactions and behaviours that would not be helpful? What are some more helpful reactions and behaviours?
LISTEN
Mood Low, hopeless, How do we demonstrate to the person that irritable, worried, sad, numb, worthless Helpful vs. non-helpful responding
ROLE PLAY
Role Play “Sometimes, when people skip school, stop hanging out with their friends and get drunk all the time, they can be thinking about suicide. Are you thinking about suicide?” What should I do if they answer in a way that isn’t clear or I don’t believe them?
Role Play
Practise with a partner and then swap (2.5mins each). Use the following script:
Keeping safe Say: “We need extra help. I want to connect you with someone who can help you keep safe.� Now is NOT the time to solve all of the problems. Now is the time to do something that keeps the person with thoughts safe. Keeping safe also involves keeping safe from means that might be used to harm themselves. Remove means if easily done (police can remove and store fire arms, pharmacists will destroy old meds).
Keeping safe
How do I support someone who is thinking about suicide?
Keeping safe When doing all this, maintain discretion, sensitivity and try to involve them in decision making. DO NOT promise secrecy. DO NOT leave a person alone if you think they may harm or kill themselves. Take them to someone or ask someone else to bring help. ALWAYS keep YOURSELF safe. Never put yourself in danger. Get or call for help if your safety is in question.
Keeping safe
DO’s and DON’T’s
Who do I go to to get help?
To be effective, a keep safe connection must be: available and there when needed, willing to help and able to increase that person’s safety.
Headspace Edinburgh North (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)- 8209 0700 CAMHS Elizabeth- 8252 0133 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm- 8252 0133 Kids Help Line (24/7)- 1800 55 1800 Lifeline (24/7)- 13 11 14 Women’s and Children’s Hospital (24/7)- 72 King William
Rd, North Adelaide. Ph: 8161 7000
Keeping safe supports
Keeping safe supports
Keeping safe Make a direct connection in person or over-the-phone. Tell the person what you learned about the person with suicidal thought’s situation in front of them and clarify and confirm. This maintains trust, models open talk, and eases the person into the conversation with the keep safe support.
Keeping safe
How do I hand over to a keep safe support?
Questions? Questions