Immediate term – talking to the person*
- Be genuine and empathetic and talk to the person – and give them time to talk to you
- Apply Suicide CPR – ask about
- Current plans – do you have a current plan?
- Prior behaviour – Have you attempted suicide before?
- Resources – Who else can help you through this? (friend, relative, pastor etc.)
- If there is concern for safety:
- Are they alone?
- Find out their location if possible
- Apply Suicide CPR – ask about
- Be direct – use clear language so there is no confusion
- Be reassuring – explain you are there to help
- Offer hope – remind them things will not always be this way
(suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem) - Normalise – ‘lots of people feel this way, you are not alone’
- Be prepared – so you can signpost them to somewhere that can help
- Encourage them to seek help
- Do not be afraid to action urgent help if necessary (999)
*You will learn a 4-step model in part 2 of this training to guide you through talking to someone in distress.
Longer term – developing psychological resilience
Simple steps include:
- Having a daily routine
- Staying active
- Sleep
- Nutrition (food and water)
- Staying connected to others
- Having a sense of purpose
Simple questions to ask:
- When did you begin feeling like this?
- Did something happen or has it come on over time?
- How can I best support you now?
- Have you considered getting some help?
What to avoid:
- Stigmatising language – ‘don’t do something silly.’
- Using blame/guilt – ‘how would your family feel?’
- Trivialising – ‘don’t be dramatic, it’s not the end of the world’