WWYD in this situation? (triggering)

[Mnthrowaway20202]

I came across a suicidal person at a station. I sat and spoke with them until police arrived who took over. They were in a very, very bad way. Extremely frustrated that they weren’t successful in their attempt.

I just can’t help but think of how useless I was in that situation. The person was only 2 years younger than me yet I had no idea what to talk about. Felt like I was making the situation worse as during silent gaps, they sort of just started screaming and getting back into their worst thoughts. It’s even worse as I am a psychology undergraduate (although I don’t work in the field) yet I had no idea how to navigate a crisis mental health situation.

You just being there isn’t useless.

There are mental health qualifications out there for mental first aid. I highly recommend it, for anyone.

Sounds like you did a great job. You kept them alive and not physically harmed until the emergency services came.

You did exactly the right thing. Well done you! Their family and friends will be so grateful, as will they, when they hopefully get the help they need. No one would know exactly how to fill conversation gaps in that situation.

Please don't beat yourself up about this. The whole situation muscat have been very distressing for you.

I've done a mental health first aid course and what you did was really good and exactly what I would have done.

You say with them and you acknowledged how they felt; called for help and stayed with them.

That person was in distress and you were there.

*must have

You were not useless at all. You are what we call a first responder! You called the police and stayed with the vulnerable person until police arrived. You probably saved their life OP. So rather than be hard on yourself, be proud.

This is what I do for a living. You did the right thing. Listening is the most powerful thing you can do.

Have a look at something like ASIST training. You may be able to get it funded by your employer (depending on what field you're in), and sometimes local health authorities pay for so many people to do the course every so often.

My ds has lost 3 friends to suicide in 4 years. I wish you had been there for even just 1 of them. To the person you saved op I bet there dm is truly thankful..
My older ds has mh issues and I was able to save him the twice he was at risk. Don't underestimate how brave and kind you have been op..

You were there, you did your best and you cared. . . you should be so proud of yourself.

You sat, you didn’t walk away. You did a great job.

You stopped someone from killing themselves - that's an amazong achievement. Someone qualified can hopefully stop them from wanting to kill themselves.

You weren't useless, you've saved someone's life. Not only that, you have saved a lot of people a lot of misery, from the train driver (you said station so I'm assuming, but if I'm wrong please ignore me!) who'd be traumatised, to the police officer having to tell their family (as well as their family!). You did amazingly, please don't beat yourself up

Think you did really well. Majority of people are nice and would have acted the same way, just by being there.

It must have been a bit harrowing for you but hopefully they'll have good help and can start to recover