The Overall Goal In Providing Emotional Support

Suicide is usually considered an impulsive action in a troubled person who sees no way to change her painful circumstances. She sees no way out. A suicidal act often surprises family members and close friends because the person is not perceived as impulsive and hides the emotional pain deep inside. Many teenagers have a difficult time during this phase of their lives. They feel pressure to succeed and fit in with their peers. This age group also exhibits a fair amount of impulsive behavior. If your family member shows any signs of suicide intent, consider it an emergency and follow the steps outlined above. They could increase the chance that your loved one might consider or attempt suicide. The Risk Factors for Suicide only point out that a person has a higher likelihood for suicide based on her life history. They are not the same as the Warning Signs of Suicide, which are distinct changes in a person’s behavior or speech. These include a previous suicide attempt, a family history of suicide, a history of trauma or abuse, a history of alcohol and substance abuse, hopelessness, male gender, living alone or in social isolation, and many others. They may or may not apply to your family member or friend.

If You Needed Somebody

Once you know the factors that put your family member or friend at risk, you can take the following steps to prevent suicide. First, ensure she receives effective medical care for her mental, physical, or substance use disorders with a combination of medical and mental health treatments. You may want to help her arrange these treatments since the telephone calls and paperwork to schedule appointments can be an effort. She may also need a referral for these treatments from her primary care physician, depending on her type of health insurance plan. This means going through the house from top to bottom and removing anything she might be able to use or that might tempt her or put her at risk. The Risk Factors for Suicide are those parts of a person’s history that may make the person more likely to harm himself or herself. Third, and most important, provide her with support and a strong connection to you, her friends and family, and her community. This includes support through her ongoing medical and mental health providers. Last, encourage her to learn and use skills in problem solving, resolving conflicts, and handling her problems in a nonviolent way. You will see that often, it’s a matter of knowing just what to say or do in the moment. This can be easier said than done. So how do you know the most useful actions to take or words to say? You might then wonder what that support really involves.

Moment To Moment

On an emotional level, Support. Providing support is a very good place for you to start. Although you may not realize it, giving support to someone who is ill is usually considered a huge job. It’s an effort that can continue 24 hours a day. It may at times be difficult and result in your own burnout. It is important to take good care of yourself during this time so you remain better energized to care for your family member or friend. The overall goal in providing emotional support is for your family member or friend to know that you are listening and interested in what he thinks. This is a very important message to get across to him. How do you best do this? Others in your situation find the following approach helpful. You can provide other types of support as well, such as financial, physical, or household support. Everyone with depression has different needs, and caregivers have different abilities to assist in these areas. Each type of support you offer may be appropriate at the time depending on your family member or friend’s age, personal circumstances, and extent of illness.

A Great Day For Freedom

For example, you may offer to accompany your elderly parent to a doctor’s appointment, help a friend with grocery shopping, or take your cousin’s dog to the vet. Your goal is to help without making your family member or friend feel entirely dependent. This means you try to regularly set aside a time and place for private conversation to check in on how he is doing. Do you feel awkward doing this? But most people with depression actually find it helps to talk about it. Try to show respect, dignity, and regard for his privacy in your words and actions. Make your best effort to accept what he says. Don’t repeat anything he tells you in confidence unless it is a threat to his life and safety or that of others. Let him express his feelings and emotions without interruption. This will show him that his feelings and experiences are important. However, try to understand that someone who has depression is not always able or willing to talk about his feelings or what he privately discussed in therapy. You might feel shut out, but it’s usually not intended personally. In this conversation, show that you have heard what he said. Use active listening. This way of communicating tells him you are fully present and paying attention to what he is saying. It’s not easy to do, especially if your mind tends to wander. If that happens, try to bring it right back to the topic. It gets easier to do with practice. Active listening is important to try because it often helps you to build rapport, understanding, and trust. It can help you avoid misunderstandings and frequently enables your family member or friend to open up. He may be silent if his feelings are very intense or if he’s deep in thought. Accept that for the moment. A short period of silence often gives him permission to feel or express his emotions. In this way you may be able to validate his true feelings. You don’t have to agree with him. Reflection effectively shows you have both heard and interpreted what he said.