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News
Looking
after your mates
What
to watch for if you think a colleague could be in danger of committing
suicide
Stressors
-
Relationship
problems, including breakdowns of relationships.
-
Death
of a mate or loved one.
-
Major
life event – loss of job, loss of mates, major change in
work role, moving home.
-
Financial
or legal problems.
-
Experiencing
domestic violence – current or past.
-
Major
health problems.
-
Psychiatric
illness, for example, depression and anxiety.
-
Increased
use of alcohol and/or other drugs.
-
Previous
suicide attempt, or recent suicide of a mate or loved one.
Psychologists
say this list didn’t mean that everyone facing one of these
situations would think of suicide. The list is intended as a starting
point.
Warning
signs
-
Previous
attempts.
-
Talking,
writing or hinting of suicide, particularly if they have a plan
and access to means of suicide.
-
Preoccupation
with death and its themes – this could include listening
to music with themes of suicide.
-
Depression,
particularly if there is sudden improvement.
-
Expressions
of feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
-
Giving
away possessions.
-
Withdrawing
from mates and family – dropping out of social events,
etc.
-
Neglect
of personal appearance and health.
-
Reckless
behaviour.
-
Making
‘final’ arrangements, putting things in order.
-
Increased
use of alcohol and/or other drugs.
Psychologists
say warning signs could be thought of as invitations; if seen
or heard, they are an invitation to ask the person if they are
thinking of suicide.
What
to do
-
Always
take the person seriously.
-
Reassure
them that they matter to you and that you will be there.
-
Be
a good listener.
-
Don’t
be afraid to ask.
-
Don’t
keep it a secret.
-
Locate
help – other staff, the duty officer, medical centre, chaplain,
psychologist or social worker.
-
Don’t
leave the person alone.
-
Get
help immediately.
Information
provided by Maj Patricia Vincent, Staff Officer Mental Health,
Defence Health Services.
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