Suicide

 

Handling a Crisis

 

In the throes of despair, often racked with guilt and worthlessness, unable to anticipate the future, people with mental illness are at special risk for suicide. If your friend or family member has expressed suicidal thoughts or made a threat, call his psychiatrist immediately. In the face of imminent danger, do not hesitate to call 911 or transport him to an emergency room yourself, preferably with another family member or a trusted friend. You may need assistance handling the patient, and you will certainly need emotional support.

 

Don’t be worried about “bothering” the police or emergency room personnel. They are trained to respond to threats of suicide just as they would respond to an asthmatic person or a heart patient having an attack. While it is important that you do not lose control of your emotions during this crisis, do not underreact for fear of angering or embarrassing the patient or yourself. By waiting for it to blow over or hoping he doesn’t really mean it, you are taking a big risk with his life.

 

When you suspect someone is suicidal, caring, direct questions can help keep the lines of communication open. This will enable you to assess his state of mind and determine if he has a specific suicide plan. If the threat is immediate, call for help first and then try to keep him talking, emphasizing in specific ways how important his life is to you and to others. Remind him that there is effective treatment for his condition and that his thoughts are symptomatic of a fairly common medical disorder. Emphasize that he needn’t feel unworthy of accepting help for suicidal impulses.

 

Hospitalization

 

Hospitalization might be necessary because of the need for 24-hour supervision. When the patient is released from the hospital, continue to be wary, as the symptoms may recur. In fact, severely depressed people may have the desire but not the energy or organizational capacity to complete suicide. As depression begins to lift, they may experience an increase in energy, leaving them better equipped to plan and carry out a death wish.

 

Source: Living with Manic-Depressive Illness: A Guidebook for Patients, Families and Friends

 

For more information about Mental Illnesses -

Contact:

The National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI of Greater Chicago

1536 West Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Phone: 312-563-0445