SUICIDIO eng

AFRON TEMOS

what are suicidal behaviours?

have your ever detected any of them?

YES

I DON'T THINK SO

Check these signs

Just in case, consider these fallacies

HOW TO ACT?

IS IT URGENT?

No, how shouldI face it?

Yes, what can I do?

I am not sure

CONTACTA de NUEVO

646102004

afrontemos@udc .gal

• Inform the person that help will be contacted.
• If possible, contact the relatives of the person affected.
• Suicidal behaviour hotline 024.
• Health emergency telephone number: 112/061 (24-hour service). If the person collaborates, go to the emergency service.

• It is false that those who talk about suicide do not intend to commit suicide. The phrase ‘The person who says it does not do it, and the person who does it does not say it’ is a fallacy. They may be asking for help or support, as they may see no other option in the hopeless situation they find themselves in. • It is false that most suicides occur suddenly without warning. It is important to pay attention to the warning signs that occur in most cases. • It is untrue that talking about suicide encourages people to commit suicide, sometimes it can even be preventive if done well. • It is false that the suicidal person has decided to die. They can often act impulsively, so support in avoiding these situations is essential. • It is untrue that anyone who has ever been suicidal will never stop. • It is also untrue that nothing will stop a person who is determined to commit suicide; there are many cases in which it can be avoided. It is not true that suicide is an impulse and cannot be prevented. Before attempting suicide, people may show several symptoms that are warning signs, which consist of repression of feelings and intellect, inhibition of aggression and suicidal ideation. • It is false that only people with mental disorders are suicidal. • Suicide does not have to be inherited. • The person who commits suicide is neither cowardly nor brave. The person suffers. Equating suicide with a personality trait undermines the effectiveness of identifying suicidal behaviour. • It is false that if you challenge a suicidal person they will not attempt suicide.

• Don't leave the person alone, stay with them or try to have someone close and attentive. • Listen to the person actively but calmly, without making them feel judged or blamed (e.g. don't say things like ‘you can’t think that because it's horrible...’). • Talk to the person directly and calmly. You can ask them, without fear, about signs that worry you; for example: ‘You haven't been going out at all lately, are you OK?’ ‘I see that you only think that life is not worth living, what is going on? ’ • If you feel it is necessary, explain this concern directly: ‘I have come to worry about you thinking and talking about death or suicide, what are you feeling? ’ Sometimes people think that minimising or playing it down (‘don't talk nonsense, it's nothing, come on’) is the best thing to do, when in fact the opposite is true if there are clear worrying signs. • Seek professional help, you can contact Afrontemos for guidance. Don't try therapy on your own, even if you have read about it; it is best to act as a bridge between the person and professional resources for help. • If it is very clear that there are any means by which they can harm themselves (objects, medication, drugs, access to danger, etc.), block them if it is within your power to do so.

• Inform the person of the resources and services available to ask for help. We should not force them to go to these services, but simply inform them that they exist.
• Within the University: Afrontemos (646102004)
• SERGAS (inform them that they can ask for an appointment at their primary care centre, which will assess their referral to mental health).
• 024 suicide hotline
• Hope phone (981 519 200)

• Review this whole decision-making tree from the beginning.
• You can call the Afrontemos programme for guidance over the phone.

• The person says things like: ‘I want to die’, ‘I'm going to kill myself’, ‘I wish I wouldn't wake up’. ‘I can't take it any more’, ‘I'm a burden to other people’, ‘No one would miss me’, ‘Soon I won't be a problem any more’, ‘If anything happens to me, I want you to know... ’.• S/he is very preoccupied with death: Conversations, drawings, writings or online searches about death, suicide or methods of self-harm. • I see her/him clearly looking for ways to commit suicide (e.g., buying a gun, stockpiling pills, searching the internet for information), giving away important belongings, saying goodbye to friends and family, making a will or putting affairs in order. • S/he has isolated her/himself, s/he does nothing, s/he does not want to leave the house. • S/he has started compulsively abusing alcohol or drugs, cutting or self-harming, or putting her/himself in dangerous situations. • Sudden mood swings that are very rare in this person, also in his or her habits, such as sleeping too many hours or hardly any. S/he has neglected her/his hygiene and physical appearance. • Changes in sleep: Sleeping too much or too little. • S/he is extremely discouraged, shows that there is no reason to live. S/he is in unbearable psychological pain. • The person makes it clear that s/he feels that is a burden to other people and/or that s/he does not contribute anything and nobody need her/him.

• The most urgent is that with signs of preparation: (getting the means, accumulating medicines, having obtained information about lethal methods, paying off debts, making amends or saying goodbye to certain people, leaving work...). • The most obvious urgency is very serious self-harm or unsuccessful attempts (sharp objects to cut oneself deeply, burning oneself, hitting head or body against objects, causing serious injuries to oneself, consuming large amounts of alcohol or drugs/medication).

• A variety of thoughts and actions that point to a risk of suicide are called suicidal behaviours. For example:
• Thoughts or verbalisations about dying: ‘I want to die’, ‘I'm going to end it all’, ‘I can't stand to be in this world any more’. Other thoughts are more indirect, such as ‘I don't see the point of anything’, ‘I wish I would get hit by a car’, ‘I would like to die in my sleep and not wake up’, ‘I am a burden to other people’, ‘Soon I won't worry anyone any more’. Excessive or obsessive thinking about death can also be an indicator.
• Explicit or direct thoughts about suicide; these indicate a significant risk:
• ‘I want to kill myself’, ‘I'm going to end this’, ‘I wonder what [method] would be like’, ‘I've thought about [method]’. Similarly, if a person is seen looking for information about methods or discussing which method is most effective.
• Suicide planning (even if no attempt has been made):
• ‘I'll do it at home when no one is around’, ‘When my roommates leave would be a good time’. Thinking about what the process would be like or mentally rehearsing the process, etc. Considering the necessary means or a time frame: ‘I need to get [medicine/weapon/object]’, ‘If things don't get better by the end of the course, I will do it’. Also, to imagine the reaction of other people or even write or imagine a farewell note.
• Finally, although this is more difficult to assess, it is important to observe behavioural changes that are very strange and negative.
• Radical isolation from friends and family.
• Moving from deep sadness to unexpected euphoria, suddenly ceasing to enjoy activities that were once very enjoyable, severe insomnia or oversleeping, no longer caring about hygiene or appearance; and also very intense feelings of guilt or worthlessness.