Suicidal Ideation


If you are experiencing a mental heath emergency, call the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) crisis team immediately on 0800 516171 or 999. They are available 24/7 and will support you through your crisis.

Though you may feel overwhelmed – it’s important to remember these feelings will pass.

 

What is suicidal ideation?

Suicidal ideation, also known as suicidal thoughts, is the process of having ideas, thoughts or contemplations about the possibility of ending one’s own life.

Thoughts of suicide can happen to anyone. People may feel suicidal because something has happened which feels too overwhelming for them to cope with. It may have been a situation that has been building over time, an accumulation of events, or a recent event.

Whatever the cause, thoughts of suicide may leave the person feeling isolated and alone, believing that people would be better off without them or that death is the only option to escape.

Thoughts of suicide aren’t permanent. Things can improve and people can find their motivation to keep going and their reasons for living.

 

What are the warning signs?

Many people with thoughts of suicide do not let their friends or family know directly how they are feeling, but often there are warning signs that someone may be feeling suicidal – signs we can be alert to.

What they might say:

  • Talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless and trapped, having no reason to live
  • Talking about being a burden to others, or that everyone would be better off without them
  • Saying goodbye to friends and family as if they won’t be seeing them again
  • Constant negativity

How they might behave:

  • Unexpected mood changes such as suddenly being calm and happy after being down
  • Giving away/clearing out possessions or making a will
  • Researching suicide, ways to kill oneself or other suicide related web/social media use
  • Self-harming and risky behaviour, including increased use of alcohol/drugs
  • Withdrawing from friends and family
  • Lateness, carelessness
  • Changes in appetite or sleeping patterns
  • Losing interest in things, including their appearance

How might the be thinking or feeling

  • Out of control, trapped, helpless or that no other options are left
  • Feeling guilty, that they are a burden or that others would be better off without them
  • Extreme mood swings or sudden rage
  • Anxious, agitated or scared

What might be happening in their lives

  • A major loss or change
  • Losing control of their lives
  • Long term problems
  • Abuse, bullying, coercion or discrimination
  • An accumulation of events

 

What can help?

Reaching out for support might feel scary – but it’s really important! No matter how you’re feeling, there is always hope.

Talking about it is key. Speak to a trusted friend or family member, or contact our Therapy Service on therapyservice@tvc.ac.uk to talk to one of our therapeutic counsellors. They can offer one-off drop-in appointments or weekly counselling sessions.

Many people will have thoughts of suicide – but thinking about suicide does not make it inevitable that you are going to take your own life. There are things you can do to manage your thoughts and feelings, and keep you safe:

  • Create a safety plan. It includes what you would do, and who might support you, in a crisis. It can help to manage those fleeting thoughts of suicide that emerge at the edge of your mind – through to situations where the desire to die becomes so overwhelming we no longer think we can keep ourselves safe. The plan is about finding hope when all feels lost, even if it’s just a glimmer
  • Remember your reasons for living:
    • It is important to remember that as well as having reasons for dying there are also reasons for living.
      • Have those in your plan as a reminder of your reasons to stay alive
    • Make your situation safer:
      • Do you have a plan of how you would take your own life? Do you know what you would use? Consider making it harder for yourself to get hold of them, especially when you are feeling in a crisis. Can you remove them from your house or give them to a family member?
    • Know your warning signs:
      • Are you triggered by certain events, anniversaries or times of the year? It might be about what is happening in your relationships
      • Does your behaviour change, or do you have particular feelings or thoughts before you start thinking about suicide?
      • Could other people close to you recognise these signs and help you to become aware of them?
    • Lift your mood:
      • The first stage of managing those emerging thoughts of suicide is knowing how to lift our mood or distract ourselves. Think about what works for you, and remember different things might help at different times:
        • Physical – go out for a run or walk or go to the gym
        • Creative – draw, colour, make music, bake
        • Productive – make lists, have a clear out, garden, write yourself a letter
        • Chill out – mediate, have a bath, listen to music, spend time with a pet, game, watch your favourite film or TV programme (on repeat if necessary)
        • People and places – can you go out and catch up with a friend, play sports, go somewhere you enjoy, go to a faith centre?
      • Press the pause button:
        • Studies suggest that the urge to act on thoughts of suicide are strongest for 15-30 minutes. You need to focus on how you will get through this time.
        • Use your safety plan. Create one here:

Though you may feel overwhelmed – it’s important to remember these feelings will pass.

If you are experiencing a mental heath emergency, call the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) crisis team immediately on 0800 516171 or 999. They are available 24/7 and will support you through your crisis.

 

Supporting your child with suicidal ideation

If your child is struggling with suicidal thoughts, click on the link to find out how you can support them and places you can get help.

References