Press conference- suicides

[LilacTree1]

Does anyone watch the press conference regularly?

I don’t, so I’m wondering if today is the first time suicidal people got a mention.

I definitely wouldn’t have got through this without MNers, so thank you all.

Just checking in @lilactree1. How are you today?

Maigh

That’s so kind of you

Better today but still getting these waves of shock at what’s happened.

Where is the evidence that talking about suicide increases the amount of people doing it?

I know it can be trigger for self harm, when talked about in front of people who struggle, but I’d be interested to see research about suicide.

It is myth that asking someone if they are suicidal will make them more likely to do it. It is really important that people are able to talk to someone about those thoughts and to be honest when reaching out.

I’d be very surprised to hear that asking someone if they are feeling suicidal makes them more likely to do it especially as it’s the number ONE (and two, three, four...) question that the Samaritans asked me when I was seriously struggling with my own Ill mental health previously.

“ It is really important that people are able to talk to someone about those thoughts and to be honest when reaching out.”

That’s really helped me and I was closer to it than ever before.

The big problem is though that ending lockdown doesn't remove all of the problems.

If they end lockdown without proper controls in place then the virus will just spread exponentially again and we will be in a worse place than we were in March.

Of course, there are other risks associated with lockdown but what is the alternative? How do you think people will struggle mentally if we see hundreds of thousands of people dying from this, with an overwhelmed NHS?

The problem here is the virus, and that hasn't gone away.

@KenDodd I think the evidence is that talking about methods of suicide is very risky which is why when the press report on completed suicide this information is omitted.
Talking about the fact that sadly many many people are really struggling with the current situation and feeling very desperate I think would be a positive thing - through open discussion this will possibly help people be open about their experiences and reach out for help, or at least mean that people suffering are more likely to have some awareness of where they can access help if needed

@ZiggeryZaggy if you Google for the Samaritans media guidelines on reporting suicide you should find some information about it.

Have you got a link to say what they said about suicides?

I find it scandalous that mental health services have been almost completely shut down right now. I am bipolar and badly need a med change, my GP can't do it and no chance of seeing a psychiatrist.

I don't understand why they can't do phone appointments, a lot of people with ongoing MH problems are going to deteriorate and hit crisis as well as those who have now developed issues since lockdown.

The problem here is the virus, and that hasn't gone away

Of course the virus hasn't gone away. Nobody is saying that it has. Mental health issues haven't gone away either, and are increasing in range and severity the longer lockdown goes on, with NHS mental health services now virtually inaccessible. It was already one of the worst funded areas of the health service.

Other medical conditions haven't gone away either and people are not feeling that they can present themselves, even sometimes in cases of stroke and heart attack.

Covid 19 is of course a serious issue, but it is in danger of being painted as the only one. It isn't.

Covid 19 is of course a serious issue, but it is in danger of being painted as the only one. It isn't.

But right now, it's the only condition that is causing a global pandemic, has shut the world down and threatens to wipe out millions of people if left unchecked.

Of course other health conditions matter. I speak as someone who has had a of their ongoing treatment suspended and am noticing rapid deterioration in my condition that I'm.not sure will be reversed. My dad also finally had a cancer operation this week that had been delayed for two months - it's likely had serious implications for him.

Ginger “ Have you got a link to say what they said about suicides?”

Sorry, I don’t. It was a question from a member of the public asking if they were conscious of the increased risk. They just urged people to seek help via the normal channels. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Speaking of risk, now certain posters have turned up, it is clear this thread will cease to be supportive or helpful, so I’ll be off. It might be worth starting other threads and seeing if certain posters have the decency to stay away - though I fear if we start a “help me not to top myself” thread, MN will remove it anyway!

I think we shouldn't forget that suicide rates would be high if there was no lockdown too. Imagine the anxiety of going out knowing that around 100,000 people will die that month and thousands more sick, but the NHS can't help them, because it's too many. Bodies left at home for days because undertakers and emergency services can't keep up. Coronavirus with no lockdown wouldn't have been a picnic. The whole disaster would have gone on much longer too.
In many ways, we could say that the country cares about our health and well-being so much, that they are willing to tank the economy.
Remember that there is no time restriction on how long we can go out for exercise. If anyone is stuck in a home without garden or balcony and has the time, they could get out walking for a few hours and stop for short breaks. Sunshine, walking, nature, vitamin D all helps to elevate the mood.

OP I just wanted to check in and say that I have been there and I hope that you are ok

I find it scandalous that mental health services have been almost completely shut down right now

I don't think they have. All out local mental health services are very much still running.

I work with people in crisis who want to end their life, seriously self harm, or who are having a psychotic episode. My service is busy and all of us staff are still there.

We heard the press while in the office the other day saying 'mental health service to reopen soon'. Well, they have never shut down! I'm not aware of any NHS mental health services that have shut and to be honest, our team at least has been working their socks off for the last few weeks

To those in crisis right now - it will get better. Reach out and call your local mental health crisis team. Ours is open 24 hours a day we r there for you. Use our services