Suicide
What is suicide?
Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable. Blinded by feelings of self-loathing, hopelessness, and isolation, a suicidal person can’t see any way of finding relief except through death. But despite their desire for the pain to stop, most suicidal people are deeply conflicted about ending their own lives. They wish there was an alternative to suicide, but they just can’t see one.
You should take all talks of suicide seriously and report to the DSL team and Learning Manager as a matter of urgency.
What does suicide look like?
Talking about being useless or 'nothing to live for'
Withdrawn and isolated - not wanting to talk or be around people
Significant changes in behaviour - loss of interest, increased anxiety etc.
Finding it hard to cope with everyday things
Recent self-harm
Apparent fascination with death (writing, talking, drawing)
Statements of suicidal intent (e.g. social media posts, letters etc.)
Giving things away, especially important items
Symptoms of depression
What questions should I be asking?
Initial Concern
You're looking troubled, what's the matter?
How often have you had these thoughts?
Have you ever felt like ending your life?
Have you ever tried to hurt yourself? Are you thinking about this often at the moment?
Assessing risk and offering support
Do you have a plan?
How often do you think about hurting or killing yourself?
When do you think most about this?
What has stopped you acting on these thoughts?
Do you have contact details of where you can get support?
Who can you call at any time if you need to talk?
What do you think needs to happen for you to feel better?
What should I NOT be doing?
Panic or try quick solutions
Ignore, dismiss or belittle what the person is saying or feeling
Think that because someone hasn't acted to harm themselves in the past, they won't in the future
Disempower the young person
See it as attention seeking or manipulative
