doctor just told me DW is suicidal

[WorriedSpouse]

I had no idea. I know she is ill but this bad? She apparently threatened to take an overdose of amitriptyline at work and I came home to find the police and ambulance with her - scary!

Doctor told me and then said 'over to you' - what can I do to help her and keep her safe?

So what support is she getting? Crisis team? Did they offer her a hospital bed (voluntary admission)?

If they felt it required an ambulance they wouldn't just leave her in your care with no external support (speaking from experience as I've been in your wife's position twice, once each in two different counties).

Who was the doctor, was it your regular GP, or someone who came with the ambulance? The latter seems weird, but so does the former.

What does she want to happen now, does she know?
Would she post in here for support? There are lots of posters with mental health experience.

If she isn't able to tell you what she wants I would be taking her to the GP first thing in the morning, getting her signed off if that might help, and Making A Plan with the GP that would involve a medication review and support from some trained professionals.

I took a overdose recently and was sent home once it was ascertained I was medically fine. Dh now keeps my meds with him and administers them to me or leaves some out if he is working.

Maybe see if you can take some time off work to care for her. Make sure the house is clean it sounds silly but I'm much more likely to sh or take ods if the house is messy.

It was our GP told me. The paramedic left her with me, after speaking to the GP, providing we saw the GP next morning. No support offered but her wants her to confront the issues (with my help!). She wants to go into hospital for a few days to get over things in peace and quiet but he said that was running away and she must face up to things - we have a meeting with her work tomorrow to start to do that (hopefully) and then we will see.
She says she just feels numb at the moment (she has slept most of the weekend) but the wish to od is still nagging away at her.

That's not a good response. My DH didn't know that I was suicidal and found out when a member of the crisis team turned up in our living room and told him.

She should have been referred to Crisis at least for help. Putting it all on your shoulders isn't fair on you or her.

Going into work is a TERRIBLE idea. Get to the GP on Monday and ask for her to be referred to the Crisis team. If they won't do that, then ask for her to be signed off work for at least a month.

You can go to A&E if you're concerned. It will be a long wait, but they will call the duty psychiatrist who can assess her at refer her for crisis support as well as direct you to the right place for help.

All the best - I'm sorry this has been dumped on you. I feel bad for my DH who I 'did' this to, but at the time I was very depressed and not thinking straight. It sounds like she's in the same position.