• Question: has anyone come to you and said im gonna kill myself

    Asked by 674menb55 to Psychiatry Ward Team, Neel - Psychiatrist, Home Treatment Team, Early Intervention Team, Ed - Mental Health Nurse, Arts Therapy Team on 5 Feb 2019.
    • Photo: Sheffield Psychiatry Ward Team

      Sheffield Psychiatry Ward Team answered on 5 Feb 2019:


      Emma here 🙂

      Yes – this is often the reason why people are admitted to hospital.

      I think the most important thing we can do is to listen to them and give them space to talk about how they are feeling. Feeling suicidal can be an incredibly lonely and scary place so the fact they have opened up to us is a really big step. People often speak to their GP or go to A&E and they will be referred to mental health teams that way.

      When in hospital we support them by allowing them space to talk, such as with 1:1 time with our nurses, we offer medication, we monitor how they are doing and try and encourage them to think of what they can do if suicidal thoughts come back.

      Outside of hospital, if someone said this to me I would offer them space to talk and encourage them to see their GP. If I thought they were in danger, e.g. they were going to take an overdose or harm themselves, I would call 999 or take them to A&E.
      There are also some other sources of support, such as the Samaritans, which is a charity phone line where people can call anonymously 24/7. There are usually helplines in each city too, such as a crisis line – here is a good resource I like to point people to: https://www.rethink.org/about-us/our-mental-health-advice/crisis-contacts

    • Photo: Ed Freshwater

      Ed Freshwater answered on 5 Feb 2019:


      Yes, lots of times, and usually on the phone.

    • Photo: Arts Therapy Team

      Arts Therapy Team answered on 6 Feb 2019:


      Richard: Yes many times, some time its just thoughts other times they might have plans, generally I listen and perhaps I might let them know that some one will be out to see them or if they would like to come in and see me.

    • Photo: Neel Halder

      Neel Halder answered on 9 Feb 2019:


      Yes plenty of people have. I have to listen to them carefully and see what help and support they need. It is very rewarding when you see them back on their feet again

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