Suicide
1. DEFINITION
The Macquarie Dictionary defines suicide as: (1)
i)“The intentional taking of one’s own life”.
ii)“Someone who intentionally takes their own life”.
2. BIBLE REFERENCE
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me”.
3. FACTS
Suicide Facts for NSW: (2)
·More than 700 people commit suicide each year.
·More people die from suicide than road injury.
·Between 24,000 – 32, 000 people attempt suicide each year.
·78% of people who commit suicide are male.
·Most people who commit suicide have a mental health problem.
·Hanging is the main means for suicide by males.
·Overdose is the main means for suicide by females.
·Between 73,000 – 97, 000 people have thought about suicide.
4. NSW GOVERNMENT STRATEGY
NSW Suicide Prevention Strategy: (3)
·The NSW Government has put $55.6 million towards a Families First Initiative
·The Initiative is an early intervention strategy that will help parents raise their children
·Family Help Kits are offered to every family in NSW – they will help families deal with stressful situations and be able to recognise warning signs of mental health problems and tell friends and family where to find help.
·Local suicide prevention task forces have been established in rural and regional health services in NSW.
·Local Councils have commenced community activities to help prevent suicide.
·The Department of Education and Training and NSW Health provide education programs that improve confidence in students and help them deal with stressful areas of life.
·A two year suicide prevention program in NSW has been established called the rural and regional youth suicide prevention counselling program. It will train workers to recognise the warning signs of young people who are at risk of suicide, and teach them how to respond to people at risk.
·NSW Health has implemented a strategy to promote education and awareness about the issue of young men committing suicide.
For more information about the NSW Suicide Prevention Strategy visit: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/health-public-affairs/publications/suicide/
5. HOW YOU CAN ACT
a) To Help Yourself:
Reach Out! suggests ways you can help yourself if you are feeling suicidal: (4)
·Delay the decision to end you life. Do other things that will distract you from the decision. Go for a walk, read a book, watch a DVD, talk to a friend or family member or listen to music. Think of all the things you can do to distract yourself and do them.
·Talk to a family member, friend, counsellor, doctor, anyone you feel comfortable with and trust. If some of them ignore you or don’t believe you, keep searching for someone who can help. Don’t give up trying to tell someone how you’re feeling.
·Ring the Kids Help Line – 1800 55 1800 or ring Lifeline – 131 114. They are both anonymous 24 hr help lines.
·Set achievable goals for yourself. These goals may be hourly, daily, weekly, what ever time orientation you prefer. Reward yourself when the goals are reached.
For more information visit:
http://www.reachout.com.au/default.asp?ti=1861
b) To Help A Loved One:
Wesley Mission LifeForce suggests the S.A.L.T strategy when trying to help someone who is suicidal: (5)
·Spot the warning signs:
·Take them seriously when they say direct or indirect comments like “I’ve decided to kill myself” or “I’m tired of life”.
·They may have changes in their moods, eating, sleeping and socialising habits, they may engage in risk taking activities and may not care about their physical wellbeing.
·Observe the way they feel through body language, voice tone and expressions.
·Be aware of their past experiences, if they have previously attempted suicide or have had the loss of a loved one.
·Ask the person if they have suicidal intentions:
·LifeForce suggests using a question such as: “I’ve noticed that you haven’t been your cheerful self lately. I heard you say that it wouldn’t matter if you were around anymore. I’m concerned. I’m wondering whether you’ve have been thinking about suicide?”
·Also ask the person how and when they are planning to commit suicide so you can assess how dangerous the situation is and get help immediately if needed.
·Listen to what the suicidal person is experiencing:
·This is the most important thing you can do.
·The suicidal person needs to talk to someone, be listened and cared for and not judged.
·Tell the suicidal person where they can obtain qualified help:
·Know your own limitations in helping someone who is suicidal, and know where to get them qualified help.
·Make an agreement with a suicidal person, that they won’t harm themselves until they have seen someone qualified who can help them more than you can, such as a counsellor, doctor, therapist etc.
6. HELP CENTRES
a) Crisis Telephone Counselling
Lifeline – 131 114
Lifeline’s Mental health information line for rural areas – 1300 131 114
Kids Help Line – 1800 551 800
SANE mental health information line – 1800 187 263 (1800 SANE)
Mensline Australia – 1300 789 978
NSW rural mental health support line – 1800 201 123
Victoria suicide helpline – 1300 651 251
b) Workshops
LifeForce suicide prevention workshops
·Run for one day
·Gain knowledge and skills to help suicidal people
·Learn how to identify the suicide warning signals
·Contact the LifeForce Office for an information pack:
(02) 9874 3500 or toll free 1800 100 024
7. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND FURTHER READING
Beyondblue, the national depression initiative:
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/
NSW Health (2000), Suicide in NSW, The NSW suicide data report
NSW Health (1999), Summary – NSW Suicide Prevention Strategy
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/health-public-affairs/publications/suicide/
ReachOut! Inspire Foundation:
http://www.reachout.com.au
Steenkamp, M. and Harrison, J. (2000) The Australian Institute on Health and Welfare (AIHW), Injury research and statistics, Suicide and hospitalised self harm in Australia.
Wesley Mission, LifeForce, Suicide prevention program: http://www.wesleymission.org.au/centres/lifeforce/about.asp
Wesley Mission, LifeForce, Fact sheet – how to help a person with suicidal thoughts.
(1) Macquarie Dictionary, 2005, “Suicide”, Macquarie University, Published by Macquarie Library
(2) All facts from: NSW Health, Suicide in NSW, The NSW suicide data report 2000 pp. 1.
(3) NSW Health, Suicide we can all make a difference, Summary – NSW Suicide Prevention Strategy pp. 2-4.
(4) Reach Out! What to do if you want to end your life, Inspire Foundation http://www.reachout.com.au/default.asp?ti=1861
(5) Wesley Mission, LifeForce, Fact sheet – how to help a person with suicidal thoughts pp. 1-2
