Thread: If a person committed suicide

If life throws you lemons, make lemonade.

While kitting up (3 layers of gloves, face shield, torch, crook & switchboard rescue kit) to turn off a 10A 240VAC circuit breaker, my colleague mused that if we spent just 10% of what we spend on electrical safety, on youth suicide prevention, many more young lives would be saved. Sadly, no one sues anyone when somebody commits suicide so there is no incentive to spend big trying to prevent it.

Originally Posted by digger

Suicide is more prevalent in todays society than you may think.

I dealt with the unfortunate circumstances brought about by one yesterday. A young lad (19) who had everything going for him, no note, no hints - it appears that sometime during the night he has decided he has had enough..

It is certainly an act of desperation or a call for help but either way
should always be treated seriously. Many are affected daily by suicides
of friends or relatives which in some cases have occurred years before.

This is affecting not just the family and his mates especially the one who found him but the town, it will affect the school, the footy and both cricket clubs, the netball club via his girlfriend, the ripples start and become tsunamis of emotion spreading larger and larger.

A big concern now is that others in his age group or circle of friends and acquaintances may decide that they will also do this... it happens quite often.

People don't "get over" the loss of someone in this way, it leaves so many
questions unanswered and usually people will blame themselves even when
there is no way they could have known or helped.

If you are depressed talk to a mate, on the phone or face to face it doesn't matter, tell someone how you are feeling -

Emergency contact is available 24 hours / 7 days a week..

Ambulance/Fire/Police - 000

Lifeline - 13 11 14

Men's Line Australia - 1300 78 99 78

Salvo Care Line - 1300 36 36 22

Kids Help Line - counselling and support provided for young people (to 24 years old) who are feeling depressed, sad, or lonely - or just need someone to talk to - 1800 55 1800

Salvo Youth Line - (02) 8736 3293 (Sydney local call)

Child Abuse Prevention Services - 1800 688 009

Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467

Beyond blue - anonymous help (if you so desire)
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ 1300 22 4636

In an emergency you can also visit your local hospital's emergency department or a Dr.

Suicide, although people do use black humour when referring to it (and I am guilty of this myself) is never funny.....

If you know someone that may be depressed or that you are concerned about, ask them... ARE YOU OK?

Go over and have a chat and a coffee... I have a few mates who have told me they were way more along in contemplating this stuff than I picked up... being able to talk to someone, unload or even just share isn't a burden or something to avoid. Its mateship.

Don't wonder later on, What if? start the conversation..

I am not having a go at the original poster at all, I know this isn't where you were probably going with this thread but there you go...

sorry if this is a bit of a rant, it comes at a time its a tad raw...sorry.

Good summary of services and advice Digger.

I would just like to add that in NSW you can call the Mental Health Line on 1800 511 011 - this is a 24hr service that will link people with their local mental health services - usually Community Mental Health - one of which I work for at a site in rural NSW.

People experiencing mental health issues directly or persons concerned about others experiencing mental health issues are able to use this service. The service will complete a Triage (over the phone) with individuals or receive referrals from concerned parties. They will also provide recommendations (eg., go to local ED) and help develop 'Safety Plans' that aim to mitigate risk.

Similar services in other states are as follows;

VIC - 1300 651 251 - Suicide Help Line

QLD - 13 43 25 84 - 13 HEALTH

TAS - 1800 332 388 - Mental Health Services Helpline

SA - 13 14 65 - Mental Health Assessment and Crisis Intervention Service

WA - 1800 676 822 - Mental Health Emergency Response Line

NT - 08 8999 4988 - Top End Mental Health Service

ACT - 1800 629 354 - Mental Health Triage Service


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Originally Posted by bob10

If life throws you lemons, make lemonade.

And then find someone whose life has thrown them Vodka.

(A little humour in a solemn thread isn't a bad thing)

Problem is the Black Dog doesn't bark enough until it's often too late...

Speak up, talk to people you can trust or reach out for help...

Keep reaching out, keep fighting....

Life is precious and you're a long time dead so don't be in a rush...

Whenever I see these sorts of discussions I really want to say stuff but generally don't. Usually type a response and then freak out about it only to go and delete it (problem with severe anxiety).

So anyway what I want to say is sometimes it's not just about depression. I've felt that way many times throughout my life. The worst times being after 2 men with sawn off shotguns came into my workplace and the aftermath that occurred (no support from work or extended family, me being put under surveillance as if I was the criminal, trying to raise an autistic son at the same time etc - you know how it goes).

The thing that was the most overwhelming was the feeling of being trapped. There was nowhere I could go, nothing I could do, the workers comp process meant my life was not my own. I had to fight for any help and go to extremes to get anyone to listen. I felt powerless and that I had no ability to control my situation.

I wanted to end it all but I couldn't do that to my husband and 2 kids. If not for them I'm not sure what I would have done. Didn't stop me feeling that way though which is a special kind of mental torture. I think it's called suicidal ideation. And it's a terrible space to be in because you feel guilty and selfish for feeling that way but you can't help how you feel.

There were a few things I learned along the way like when it's bad try to crush ice cubes with your hands. Inflicts a lot of pain but you don't do any damage. Coz the times that you do something stupid and cause damage then you just feel ashamed.

I guess what I'm saying is that if someone tells you they feel that way maybe the question you could ask is what's the situation that's making them feel trapped. What can't they see their way clear of. Then it might be possible to help with a tangible solution.

Maybe see if there is anything you can think of to make the person feel empowered. Try to help them get moving - physically. It's easier to think and reason when moving for some reason.

Anyway I hope this can help someone.

Excellent post PockRock !

Thanks!

One of my big concerns at the moment is the response from DVA when dealing with veterans who are struggling. I am currently dealing with DVA myself to get some conditions recognised whilst I am still serving and I am horrified at how they operate. I still have a job and free medical but once you are discharged you have no support at all. They recently lost a whole file of mine. After doing my own detective work it was found after 12 months. I am dealing with a hearing issue and not PTSD or something serious but I am genuinely shocked at their incompetence. They continue to post mail to old addresses even after you change it. You have to request a call back online and sometimes they will call you back but from an unlisted number and then they give a generic callback number that puts you on hold for hours. They will never give you a desk number so you can deal with one individual. Veterans of recent conflicts are taking their own lives. I an understand their feeling of hopelessness when dealing with an organisation like DVA. I have signed a petition for a Royal Commission into DVA but I know it will never happen because there are no votes in it.