INSHAPE NEWS MIND MATTERS
Peter Walker – Clinical Psychologist
In 2010, 2359 Australians lost their lives as a result of suicidal behaviour. This represented the 10th most common cause of death for men that year. It has been estimated that up to 170 people attempt suicide in Australia every day. In spite of the obvious seriousness of the problem, there is little community education and awareness generated, especially when compared to other health problems such as cancer or heart disease.
What factors are associated with greater risk of suicide?
There area number of factors that put individuals at greater risk of attempting suicide. These are as follows:
- Previous attempts and a family history of suicide.
- Living in a rural area.
- Being male, men account for nearly 80 percent of deaths, with a relatively young (30 -34 age group), being most ‘at risk.’
- Suffering from mental illness, particularly mood disorders.
- Enduring chronic pain.
- Carrying out substance abuse.
- Having low self-esteem and a reduced sense of control.
- Suffering from guilt, shame and/ or a sense of hopelessness.
- Living in poverty, or enduring financial difficulties and violence.
- Enduring social exclusion, peer rejection and discrimination.
On the other hand, safe, socially connected and meaningful lives can act as protective factors against suicide. This is why it is important to try and connect with someone who is feeling these pressures and to talk about their issues.
What are the signs?
Friends and family can play an important role in helping those who have or are planning to engage in suicidal acts. If the person is at risk of suicide the presence of certain behaviours may represent an escalation in risk. These behaviours include the following:
- Withdrawal from loved ones. The individual may start pushing people away.
- Diminished self-care. A lack of concern with appearance and hygiene.
- Loss of involvement in activities that were once pleasurable. Reduced engagement in previously valued activity.
- Discussion of suicide, self-harm attempts or evidence of planning suicide.
- Hopelessness, self-hatred and feeling trapped.
What you can do to help?
If the individual is at risk and exhibits signs that may suggest a possible escalation, it is important that friends and family are prepared and act. There are a range of strategies that can be employed to mitigate risk of suicide and to promote recovery. Plans that can be facilitated by friends and family of the ‘at-risk’ individual during the crisis, intervention and recovery phases of suicide prevention are as follows:
- Be available and open – Encourage the person at risk to discuss their concerns openly. Ask calmly, but straightforwardly about suicide. Are they considering harming themselves? If so, how? Do they have the means to carry out the plan? It is important that the individual feels they have permission to discuss these issues openly without judgement or fear of offending. In this instance, it is much better to run the risk of overreacting than to under-react.
- Be prepared, know what services and resources are available in your area – This will typically include the location and phone number of the local hospital and emergency department (ED), the local mental health crisis team, the individual’s mental health clinician’s details, which can include a mental health nurse, psychologist, case manager, and social worker, as well as an occupational therapist, general practitioner, and psychiatrist. Other relevant community resources are the community mental health centre and local non-government organisations. In New South Wales there is a government run state wide crisis line (1800 011 511) that can access and intervene with services if appropriate.
- Assertively involve services – As difficult as it can be, it is essential to involve professional’s when dealing with situations that involve suicide. This may involve a friend or family member calling services themselves, even if this is against the expressed wishes of their loved one. In these situations it is most important that the 