Support in preventing Self harm and Suicide

Summary

This transcript discusses the critical role family and friends play in supporting individuals with suicidal tendencies. It emphasizes the importance of empathetic listening, being non-judgmental, and providing long-term support. The speaker reflects on their personal experience, highlighting the need for open conversations, understanding, and face-to-face interactions. They also stress that men often struggle to express emotions and seek help. The video underscores the significance of allowing people to share their feelings without offering quick fixes and the need for a consistent support system for long-term recovery.

Takeaways

• 👪 Family and friends play a crucial role in supporting someone with suicidal tendencies.
• 🕒 The journey to stop self-harm may take time, and loved ones need to be patient.
• 🗣️ Encouraging open conversations is essential for those feeling suicidal.
• 👨‍⚕️ Seeking professional help, such as from a GP, is vital for those with self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
• ❤️ Loved ones must acknowledge the individual's feelings without judgment and show care and empathy.
• 🤔 Suicidal individuals often feel misunderstood or uncared for, making empathetic listening important.
• 💬 It is more beneficial to allow the individual to express their thoughts before offering solutions.
• 🙅‍♀️ Avoid minimizing the person's feelings or offering dismissive platitudes.
• 👂 Listening without judgment and being there emotionally can be more helpful than immediate solutions.
• 🔄 Finding a support network is key, and sometimes a combination of professional help and family support works best.

Q & A

What role can family and friends play in supporting someone with suicidal thoughts?

Family and friends can become part of a wider support network, offering emotional support, listening without judgment, and encouraging the person to talk about their feelings.

Why is it important to be prepared for a long journey when supporting someone who self-harms?

Stopping self-harming behaviors can take time, so loved ones need to be patient and supportive throughout the recovery process.

What should family and friends avoid when someone expresses suicidal thoughts?

They should avoid judging, offering quick fixes, or minimizing the person's feelings. Instead, they should listen empathetically and take the person's feelings seriously.

Why is it important to encourage someone with suicidal thoughts to speak to a GP?

A GP can provide medical assistance, help with minor injuries caused by self-harm, and guide the individual to professional mental health support.

How can loved ones help prevent infection in someone who self-harms?

They can encourage the person to seek help for minor injuries such as cuts or burns to ensure infection does not set in.

What are some of the challenges men face in talking about their suicidal thoughts, according to the transcript?

Men often feel reluctant to express their emotions or talk about their feelings, which can prevent them from seeking help.

What does the person in the transcript suggest would have helped them when dealing with suicidal thoughts?

They believe that more open communication with their family, research on what they were going through, and emotional support from loved ones would have been helpful.

Why is it important to listen without offering immediate solutions to someone with suicidal thoughts?

Jumping in with solutions can shut down the conversation. It’s more important to let the person express their feelings and reasons for wanting to end their life before addressing solutions.

What should you focus on when offering support to someone struggling with suicidal thoughts?

Focus on their feelings and experiences, not your own, and avoid offering platitudes or minimizing their emotions.

How can someone find the right support when they don't feel comfortable talking to family or friends?

They can look for other forms of support such as counseling, support groups, or helplines, where they can speak openly with people who understand or are trained to help.