Thanks Gail & michine and everyone else.    Most suicides are preventable but it takes us all working together and caring for each other to stem the tide of suicide.    Good night! ... View more

You're welcome sagira! It's been great. Thanks for participating :) ... View more

There's also some really useful training courses you can do so that you get some skills in asking someone if they are feeling suicidal and also getting them to appropriate help.    Check out the LivingWorks courses - that's the 'brand' I guess of teh course but they are offered all aroudn the country and in many organisation. You can check out when training is being offered here or else email them.   There's also Mental Health First Aid which includes awareness of mental illness as well as some basic suicide intervention skills. You can search for courses here.     There are lots of others too so if you are having a problem finding a course then you can get in touch with ReachOut or Suicide Prevention Australia and we will do our best to help you find a course! ... View more

What do you think about campaigns/events like RUOK Day in making it more socially acceptable to talk about feelings and making mental illness more acceptable?   There's also Out of the Shadows walks that many Lifeline centres aroudn the country do - here's an example.   Our organisation - Suicide Prevention Australia - is working with a suicide awareness event called Roses in the Ocean which will also grow and is a great way to participate and learn.   And then of course there's doing ReachOut stuff!   Participating in things like this can be one way you can get involved and to help prevent suicide. ... View more

One of the things that I did a few years ago was volunteer with Lifeline as a telephone counsellor. They give great training and then the role is a wondeful way to give back to the community while learning about suicide prevention. ... View more

Hi @worthless and welcome. I'm really glad you found your way here tonight. I'm sure you will find loads of people to connect with and get some support here on ReachOut. Please do know that there is help out there (here) for you. I know some of the others have given you some great tips so I'll leave it at that. Thanks again for coming and contributing :) ... View more

good to have you back again DD.    I think everyone's been right with this - self harm and suicide are different. Like you have said, self harm is typically about coping with emotions, a way to help a person deal with those emotions. Suicide is different - it's usually about feeling worthless, disconnected, and feeling like the world would be better off without you and that there is no other solution.      ... View more

Ok so our next question....   When people think about suicide, self harm often also comes to mind. Do you think there is a link between self harm and suicide? Are all people that self harm suicidal? ... View more

that's right, sagira. And it's not so hard to imagine how someone who is feeling trapped can also get caught in that tunnel vision I mentioned earlier that usually accompanies a suicide attempt.   There's also an effect that goes on when you get sick, depressed and possibly even really stressed out. It's called the 'help negation' effect. What that means is that there's some psychological-biological changes in your body & brain that make you less likely to reach out for help at the moment you need help the most! It's another reason why it's important we all look out for one another and if you see someone withdraw socially, seem really down, or change their behaviour drastically then ask them how they are doing. Also don't be afraid to ask them directly 'are you thinking about suicide?'.  ... View more

On the more technical/research side, what we know from research is that it's a complex relationship between mental illness and suicide.   You can have a mental illness and never even think about suicide. You can suicide and never have a mental illness.     But also suicide is a more common way to die for people who have major depression or schizophrenia than it is for the general population. ... View more

Hi graphiqual, welcome! You've mentioned a few of the reasons we often hear about - major stress - could be caused form a relationship breakdown, financial troubles, chronic pain. Also loneliness and feeling worthless. ... View more

Agree - that's why it can feel better after a good cry on someone's shoulder! ... View more

'Taboo' is right Gail. It's something that has keep suicide hidden in the shadows for a long time.  ... View more

So true. Feeling connected to others is really important and can help prevent suicide. It's very powerful.  ... View more

That's right. Most people will find it a relief to be allowed to talk about what's going on for them. And to feel like they are being listened to. ... View more

Yep, that's right 'incredible delusion'. When people are really thinking about taking their own life they usually a kind of tunnel vision and only see things that confirm their belief that they are a burden and things are hopeless (which they in reality are not). It's a very sad space to be in. Compassion is a great response to that. ... View more

Hi DD. This sure is a myth: Suicide is ANYTHING but easy. People who try to kill themselves are coping with intense emotional and psychological pain - something very hard - and they are typically very ambivalent about dying. It's hard to face that.  ... View more

Hi sagira, thanks for joining us!   Yes, the idea that people who take their own lives are being selfish is very common. I agree - it's far better to be non-judgemental.    It's very common for people who do attempt suicide to do so for almost the opposite reaosn - opposite of being selfish I mean. Many people are are suicidal think that their loved ones would be better off without them if they died. Of course, what we know from their loved ones, especially those who are bereaved, is that their family/friends would do anything to have them back alive. ... View more

Hi everyone!    My name is Jo and I'm the Policy & Sector Engagement Manager at Suicide Prevention Australia. I'm really pleased to be here tonight (as is my cocker spaniel, Gracie) :)   So we have a few questions we have thought of in advance to get the conversation going.    Let's kick off with:   What do you think some myths and/or misconceptions regarding suicide are? ... View more