Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 24 Oct 2011 - 0:00 PDT
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A study focusing on the family and friends of people who were suicidal has highlighted the main challenges they face when trying to judge whether a person is in danger and decide what they should do about it.
The research was carried out by Dr. Christabel Owens from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, supported by Devon NHS Partnership Trust and funded by the UK Medical Research Council. The findings are published in the British Medical Journal on 22nd October 2011 (online 19th October 2011).
Researchers investigated 14 suicides aged 18-34 in London, the South West and South Wales, none of whom were receiving specialist mental health care. They asked relatives and friends of the deceased what they had witnessed in the period leading up to the suicide and how they had interpreted what they saw. In all, 31 lay informants (parents, partners, siblings, friends and colleagues) took part.
The findings of the research show that relatives and friends did not always receive clear and unambiguous warning signals from the suicidal individual, and that, even when it was obvious that something was seriously wrong, they could not always summon the courage to take action.
Family members and friends of those who may be contemplating suicide are confronted by powerful emotional blocks, particularly fear. They may be afraid of intruding into another person's emotional life or afraid of damaging a cherished relationship by 'saying the wrong thing'. The whole situation is emotionally charged, and that affects the way in which people respond.
Unlike conditions such as stroke, where national awareness campaigns have been built around the very obvious signals to look for, this study emphasises that for suicide there is no clear "if you see this, then do that" message - despite research literature suggesting that warning signs for suicide do exist.
Said Dr. Owens: "Even doctors with many years' training and experience find it very difficult to assess whether or not a person is at imminent risk of suicide. Family members and friends find themselves in uncharted territory, with no training and little public information to guide them. They may know that a relative or friend is troubled but have absolutely no idea that suicide is a possibility. The person may give very indirect hints, possibly when disinhibited by alcohol, that they are thinking of killing themselves, but it is difficult for others to know how seriously to take these messages and how to respond to them."
The study indicates that, where emotional or psychological pain is involved, people do not seek medical help lightly. For a person who is feeling overwhelmed and suicidal, consulting a doctor and confessing those feelings requires immense courage and is often a last resort. Said Dr. Owens: "It is sad that, in the course of our research, we have repeatedly come across examples of people who did go to their GP, were given a cursory risk assessment and sent home with little or no support, and subsequently killed themselves. In other cases, a relative has taken their concerns to a GP and asked for advice, and has been told that the case cannot be discussed with them for reasons of patient confidentiality and that the person must visit the GP themselves."
Having identified the challenges facing family and friends of the suicidal, the authors of this study will, in partnership with statutory and voluntary organisations, work on developing solutions.
Said Dr. Owens: "There are some suicide prevention skills training courses available, but they are not ideal for members of the general public, and we don't know how to get them to the people who need them. We still need to identify the key messages that we have to get across to people, and work out how to deliver them to relatives and friends of those who are at risk of suicide."
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.Visit our mental health section for the latest news on this subject. Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
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8 Dec. 2011.
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posted by Bryan Gibb on 24 Oct 2011 at 9:48 am
Thanks for your piece on this important topic. Allow us to suggest that there is a good course for the general public called Mental Health First Aid. This course is taught in 43 states by 1400 certified instructors and teaches how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness, respond to crisis (including suicide risk) and refer to servics. We were fortunate to be the guest of NPR's Talk of the Nation last week if you would like to learn more. Take a look at our website - mentalhealthfirstaid.org if you like.
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posted by Ann Weeks on 24 Oct 2011 at 4:15 pm
At last some insight into what families go through. My son killed himself last December, and your right, these lost souls are so brave to go to the doctor in the first place, but once in the system are just monitored NOT HELPED, NO RECOVERY PLAN, ONLY DRUGS. Breaks my heart that I begged for help, but as his Mum was not allowed to be told anything, due to confidentiality. If people with Dementia can give family power of attorney to family, why can't 23 year olds that are terrified as been told their suffering from a mental illness, so confused and alone, not be given support by their family as it's for their own good. I would have spa t every penny on this earth to get him help, as apparently, THE NHS PROFESSIONALS, thought counselling was not an option to begin with - regretably when they did decide it might help, they wrote the referral on the day he died - coincidence or what! And strangely never received the letter, although in his medical notes. Inquest Ist November - he didn't stand a chance, once his work got his psychiatric report - they refused him work, told him he was a risk to the other staff and clients, that left him with NO FUTURE = MORE DEPRESSION = DEATH
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posted by Barb Hildebrand on 27 Oct 2011 at 2:36 pm
Really enjoyed reading this article that explained very well what those contemplating suicide as well as their families and loved ones experience.
I liked that you pointed out that even those trained in the field of medicine have a difficult time ascertaining who will or won't follow through and take their lives. It's a huge responsibility that many lay people place on themselves and they need to hear this to realize it isn't always possible nor is it their fault.
No matter where you live and what healthcare system is in place, not enough follow-up is being done with suicidal people who have attempted or have indicated they're considering suicide. We've got to figure out a better way and have the various organizations work together to coordinate better efforts and programs.
I'm in Canada, there's a great organization called LivingWorks who provide wonderful training for lay people. I've taken one of their courses called SAFETalk, it's 3 hours in total and makes you aware of what to look for, steps to take if someone is suicidal and how to get them help.
Thanks for this great post!
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