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HopeHappens
Special Guest Contributor
since
14-02-2013
22-02-2013
19
Posts
33
Kudos
0
Solutions
21-02-2013
11:35 PM
1 Kudo
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!
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21-02-2013
11:31 PM
1 Kudo
You're welcome sagira! It's been great. Thanks for participating :)
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21-02-2013
11:22 PM
1 Kudo
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!
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21-02-2013
11:13 PM
2 Kudos
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.
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21-02-2013
11:06 PM
3 Kudos
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.
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21-02-2013
11:00 PM
1 Kudo
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 :)
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21-02-2013
10:52 PM
1 Kudo
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.
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21-02-2013
10:35 PM
1 Kudo
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?
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21-02-2013
10:34 PM
1 Kudo
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?'.
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21-02-2013
10:21 PM
2 Kudos
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.
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21-02-2013
10:18 PM
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.
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21-02-2013
10:15 PM
1 Kudo
Agree - that's why it can feel better after a good cry on someone's shoulder!
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21-02-2013
10:09 PM
'Taboo' is right Gail. It's something that has keep suicide hidden in the shadows for a long time.
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21-02-2013
10:07 PM
2 Kudos
So true. Feeling connected to others is really important and can help prevent suicide. It's very powerful.
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21-02-2013
10:03 PM
2 Kudos
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.
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21-02-2013
10:00 PM
4 Kudos
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.
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21-02-2013
09:56 PM
2 Kudos
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.
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21-02-2013
09:49 PM
4 Kudos
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.
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21-02-2013
09:35 PM
4 Kudos
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?
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My Recent High Fives Received
Subject | High Fives | Posted |
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1 | 21-02-2013 11:35 PM | |
1 | 21-02-2013 11:31 PM | |
1 | 21-02-2013 11:22 PM | |
2 | 21-02-2013 11:13 PM | |
3 | 21-02-2013 11:06 PM |
My Recent High Fives Given
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Public Statistics
Date Registered | 14-02-2013 05:00 PM |
Date Last Visited | 22-02-2013 11:49 AM |
Total Messages Posted | 19 |
Total High Fives Received | 33 |