Recognise and Respond

Suicide. What comes to mind when I say that? Perhaps you are thinking of people killing themselves with no apparent reason, or suicidal bombers. Whatever the case, suicide it a terrible thing, and we all have a role to play in preventing it. Choices we make today can help to stop suicide. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics have shown that more people die from suicide than by road accidents in Australia. Why are we letting suicide rates be so high in our country?
Most people don’t want to die; they just want their pain to end. They look to suicide when they have overwhelming problems-suicide seems to be the only way out of their trouble. They feel hopeless and alone; thinking that no one understands what they are going through.
We need to be aware that suicide is very serious; taking your own life is not a small matter. You should never ignore suicide threats. The best way for us to prevent suicide is to recognise signs and warnings of suicidal intentions and then to respond appropriately. Recognise and respond.
There are six steps to take in preventing suicide. First of all you need to reach out to the person. Directly ask them if they are considering suicide. This will show them that they are not alone, and that you care. Next, you need to listen to what they have to say. Let them express their feelings. You also have to check their safety; make sure they have no access to weapons or drugs. Then you should decide what to do about their situation. Discuss with them steps you can take to keep them safe. Ask them for a promise. Get them to promise that they will tell someone if they feel suicidal again. It is also important that you get help for the person; you cannot handle the situation alone. You could call a service, such as Lifeline, to help and counsel the person.
We need to stop suicide; no one should feel like dying. We all need to lookout for one another to prevent suicide. Remember to recognise and respond to suicide threats.