The Little Blue Book

Just talking, and ‘opening the door’ a little, can set them on a path to help. And may save a life. Getting a conversation going, even if you stumble a bit, is the important thing here. A person thinking of suicide does not want to die; but they do want the pain that follows them through their waking hours to stop. And it will give you the opportunity to LISTEN, to offer HELP and SUPPORT, and to ENCOURAGE them to get the treatment they need. For the person carrying these thoughts, not asking for help does not mean that they don’t want it. For many sufferers, it is isolation and lack of connection – a sense of being totally alone – that incubates suicidal thoughts. If you can reach across the gap and find a few words to let them know you care, you can help break through that sense of isolation. You don’t need to feel that you need to solve their problems; just talking, and ‘opening the door’ a little, can set them on a path to help. And may save a life. They need to hear that you are “there for them”; that you are concerned for their welfare and want them to be well. So, throw the lifeline and get a conversation going; remind them they don’t need to feel the way they do, that there is help waiting. Ask if they’ve talked to anyone - their GP or counsellor? - ask if they are having therapy or taking medication. Offer to call their GP or LifeLine (13 11 14) or other crisis service. STARTing A CONVERSATION ABOUT SUICIDE RECOGNISING DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND OTHER DISORDERS 110