People being urged to look beyond ‘Blue Monday’ and know the signs of suicide
HOW DO you recognise suicide warning signs and what can you do to help? This is the main question being posed by suicide prevention charity Pieta to mark the new public awareness campaign, ‘Know the Signs of Suicide’. The campaign aims to help people identify what signs to watch and listen out for. Monday last, January 18, is now known as ‘Blue Monday’ because the mid-month date is associated with failed New Year’s resolutions and cold and damp weather with little sunlight.
But Pieta says that this single day should not be marked as the cause or side effect of depression. The charity says: “Depression and suicidal ideation runs much deeper and for many, any day could be considered ‘Blue Monday’ as mental health issues can happen anytime. So it is important to not view this day lightly and, instead, make sure you check in regularly on a loved one who may be struggling.”
Calls and texts to the charity’s helpline directly relating to suicide, self-harm and suicide bereavement rose by 25% in December as against December 2019, and Pieta is expecting the pandemic burden to continue into 2021.
“Covid-19’s far-reaching impact is more than a physical threat. It has impacted everything from people’s financial stability to their social habits. People are struggling with loneliness. This is a fact that is worsened with physical distance measures in place.”
Most people who talk or think about suicide simply want to stop the pain they feel, so knowing what signs to listen and watch out for is crucial.
Signs to listen for are talking or writing about hurting themselves, dying or saying that they want to die, talking about ways to die or having a suicide plan, saying that they are ‘trapped’ or have no options in their life, saying they have no purpose in their life, that they feel hopeless. Other signs to watch out for are engaging in self-harm or risk-taking behaviour, giving items away or saying goodbye to people, becoming more inward looking and withdrawing from family and friends, changes in sleep patterns – too much or too little sleep, extreme emotions or dramatic changes in mood along with increasing use of drugs or alcohol.
Clinical director at Pieta Emma Dolan said: “We are calling on the public to look beyond ‘Blue Monday’ and familiarise themselves with the life-saving steps to recognise suicidal ideation.
“Any day of the year can be a challenge for people living with mental health issues so please think about how you can break down the stigma and raise awareness of these preventative measures.
“In Pieta we have been humbled by the overwhelming generosity of the public with so much good work being done over the past year. Our services continued throughout the pandemic and the various lockdowns we hope that the public will support us in our continued efforts throughout 2021.”
She said that knowing the signs allows you to then follow three simple steps: APR (Ask – Persuade – Refer) – and just like CPR, it can save a life.
“If someone opens up to you, don’t be afraid to ask them directly if they are thinking of suicide or want to kill themselves. “Talking to them openly and honestly is one of the best things you can do. Even just listening is one of the most powerful tools available.
“Once you have asked the question, calmly and gently persuade them to seek help or to allow you to assist them in getting help. If you cannot persuade them, remember that Pieta’s 24/7 Crisis Helpline is open 24 hours day.
“As soon as you can, refer or guide them to Pieta – if you can, make the call with them or travel with them to the appointment.” She said that Pieta’s professional counsellors specialise in suicide prevention and tackling self-harm. The charity has centres all over Ireland and Pieta’s Freephone Crisis Helpline is open 24/7. All services are provided free of charge and no referral is needed.