Family and Carers
No family member or friend wants to be faced with someone close who is feeling desperate or possibly suicidal. We can feel so ill equipped and frankly frightened that to say anything might make things worse. Helping someone to to feel support and safe is crucial. Knowing how to do it can feel confusing.
Get in contact to discuss how to support someone or be supported yourself.
Below is some very useful information suitable for sharing with a parent worried about a family member – Supporting someone to stay safe
Book Sessions with Positive Energy Being to support you or a loved one to create a safety plan
Feeling unsafe
As a mental health practitioner, Christine seeks to empower communities and individuals to help prevent suicides by being alert to the warning signs, asking directly about suicide and helping those who are feeling suicidal to stay safe.
Being fully aware of how common suicidal thoughts Christine as a trainer and campaigner is familiar with all the barriers that exist around talking and asking about suicide.
Supporting someone to create a workable safety plan and build up personalised strategies forms the starting point for therapy sessions.
Staff
Over 200 schoolchildren are lost to suicide every year in the UK but we are not keen to talk about suicide in schoolchildren or the number of children in this level of emotional distress.
A 2017 survey, commissioned by PAPYRUS, found that one in ten (11%) of teachers said, on average, a student shares suicidal thoughts with them once a term or more.
There is hope
Staying Safe – where to begin?
- Supporting someone? – See Guide to Supporting Someone to Stay Safe or Book a session
- Feeling unsafe yourself? See guidance below
Supporting Someone to Stay Safe
I would benefit from sessions in order to support someone
If you are feeling scared or unsafe with your thoughts
Suicidal thoughts are not uncommon. For anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts, sessions will support you to record and create your own Safety Plan. It’s designed to offer hope, compassion and practical ideas on how to find your own way forward. It provides a practical and protective strategy moving forward.
During sessions Christine will support you in building your strategies and resources around self care and addressing other areas to support wellbeing.
If in crisis please contact emergency services or any of the lines below
Reduce fear and encourage engagement.
At school
Over 200 schoolchildren are lost to suicide every year in the UK but we are not keen to talk about suicide in schoolchildren or the number of children in this level of emotional distress.
A 2017 survey, commissioned by PAPYRUS, found that one in ten (11%) of teachers said, on average, a student shares suicidal thoughts with them once a term or more.
Statistics (in England and Wales) were only released for the 10-14 age group for the first time in 2015. Suicides by children under 10 are not included in official statistics. While there have been moves to prioritise the emotional health and mental wellbeing of children in schools, far fewer people are talking about suicide prevention. The stigma, silence and misconceptions around suicide mean that it is often not part of our normal conversation, and there is insufficient action to make suicide prevention training a priority for all who work with children and young people.
Schoolchildren spend the majority of their waking hours at school: teachers and school staff have the opportunity to recognise the signs that a student might be at risk of suicide and they are best placed to respond effectively. Despite this, many are unsure of what to do or to say. Indeed, many are frightened that they may make things worse by talking to their pupils about suicide. There is currently very little guidance for schools and colleges on how to prevent suicide and support those affected by it.
Many teachers and school staff do not feel equipped to support schoolchildren at risk. This can be exacerbated by a lack of resources and having to work with mental health services which are often overstretched. A 2017 survey, commissioned by PAPYRUS, found that one in ten (11%) of teachers said, on average, a student shares suicidal thoughts with them once a term or more. Yet our survey also identified a real need for support and training in the sector.
CALM campaign
Campaign Against Living Miserably – Helpline 5pm to Midnight Call 0800 58 58 58
Lots of resources here and webchat function