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Recognising Suicidal Risk
 
Below are some of the signs that someone may be feeling suicidal. If you or someone you know is showing these signs it is important to get help immediately. You can contact your college counselling service (01 4023352 ph or text 086 0820543) or the college health centre (01 4023051/ 402 3614) for help. Below are listed several external support services also available for immediate help.
How do I know if my friend is suicidal?
The strongest and most disturbing signs are verbal – “I can’t go on,” “Nothing matters any more” or even “I’m thinking of ending it all.” Such remarks should always be taken seriously. However sometimes people don’t say anything – you may notice them absent fom classes on a regular basis, not involving themselves in any activities or group chat, alienating themselves from everybody. You can contact them by text or email and ask them are they okay, are they coming into college, would they like to meet up.
What if I feel suicidal?
If you are feeling like you can’t go on anymore, it is important that you tell someone. While it can be difficult to approach someone and tell them how you feel, it is important that you get help. Choose someone that you feel comfortable with, a family member or friend, your family GP or the college counselling service. Contact one of the services below and talk to a trained counselor. If you are alone, make contact with someone you can stay with. If you feel in real danger of acting on the suicide ideation contact the emergency services and ask for help.
Common Signs of Suicidal thinking and planning:
  • Severe depression and a feeling of despair.
  • History of suicide attempts in the past. Previous family suicides.
  • Talking about going away or getting away from problems.
  • Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
  • Talking about suicide and death, making final arrangements or feeling that ending it all is the only option. Most people who die by suicide have told someone that they are thinking of suicide. LISTEN and ACT if someone talks to you about suicide, feelings of isolation or alienation.
  • Self-destructive behaviour like excessive use of alcohol and/or drugs.
  • A sudden calmness after an episode of depression. This could mean they have made a decision to suicide.

What to do:

  • Don’t be afraid to mention the word Suicide. You won’t be putting ideas in their head. Just ask straight out if they are suicidal.
  • Stay with them and tell them you are there for them.
  • Encourage them to contact the counselling service, the health centre, their own GP, or a family member.
  • If they are refusing any help, tell them you need to contact someone for them. You then contact a family member, the health service or the counselling service, to seek further help.
  • Listen to them and reassure them that you will stay with them until professional help has arrived.
  • Don’t judge them, don’t push them to tell you everything, just reassure them, tell them you are worried about them and want them to get the help they need.

How can you help? Contact any of the following:

www.dit.ie/campuslife/counselling

www.spunout.ie

www.aware.ie

www.teenline.ie

www.console.ie

www.samaritans.ie

www.stopsuicide.org

This website – www.pleasetalk.ie