What happens when you tell your GP you're suicidal?

[BlackCatFan]

I'm ok by the way, I don't have intent.

But I wondered what happens when you tell your GP you have thoughts of Suicide or have plans? (without intent).

Looking for peoples experiences of this

Thanks.

When my ds1 was suicidal, the gp rang the crisis team there and then and demanded a visit. I do hope you’re ok op

Nothing happened. She was very sympathetic and genuinely kind, but simply made me promise I would get in touch if I felt like that again.

He referred my dd to the mental health team, and 6 months later she has started therapy

They will ask some questions to try and work out how best to help and how likely you are to act on the thoughts. Then depending on that they may refer you elsewhere for immediate support (crisis team), some other support not so immediate or maybe a follow up with the go or maybe nothing.

It depends who you see, one GP sat there typing on the computer, didn't look up. He only addressed me to say "but you won't hurt the baby?" (She was about 3 months old). He offered me antidepressants, I said I couldn't face stopping breast feeding, he said "oh I don't know I don't know, ask the pharmacist and if he says it's ok carry on otherwise you will have to stop" and sent me off (with a prescription I didn't want to take) over Christmas (which is a hard period for some people). He was terrible. I won't see him again.

Another GP was amazing, got me to complete a depression questionnaire, gave me antidepressants, offered counselling and wanted to see me every 2 weeks to keep an eye on things.

8 years ago so might not be the same.

I was sent to a&e with a letter (I don’t know what it said) and saw a member of the crisis team. Sent home and then home treatment team saw me each day for about a week then referred to a psychiatrist.

I was signed off from work, started on antidepressants, with a follow up appointment in a fortnight. Saw the same GP for the next six months, even though I moved out of the area, she made sure I knew I could keep coming back to her, I didn't have to change practices until I was ready. She was very kind and calm. She offered counselling but as I could get it through my work I did that as it could start straight away.

Thanks. I'm ok, but I'm thinking if being honest with my GP gets me some proper help then perhaps I should tell them... what's the worst that can happen. It all depends which one I get to see, some are not very nice or understanding at my surgery.

I don't want to get into trouble by telling them. But this has just been going on for so long now ..

I told mine when we were writing up the referral to the mental health team. She did question me but no crisis team.

@toothfairy73 sorry to hear about your experience 😔

OP you won't get into trouble, you are asking for help.

It’s called suicidal idealisation because it’s without intent, you will probably be offered meds and then have to either self refer for counselling, be referred directly to the community MH team or referred urgently to the crisis team. The level offered will depend on their take on the situation, you have to be totally honest. Many women, assuming you are a woman fear their dc being removed by social services so tend to not come clean. I have had SS intervention and they were absolutely great.

The last time I said this to a GP the MH team rang me immediately and I got fast tracked but I have a known to them history. I know MH services are under huge pressure but they literally decide how much a danger to yourself or others are and then assess the level of support needed. That is the bottom line if they don’t think you will really kill your self or anyone else it’s a longer wait. Getting the correct diagnosis is also extremely important, I was on anti depressants for a long time but really they were unsuited to me as I am now diagnosed with bi polar which I sadly admit is correct and those sort of meds are often detrimental to people with bi polar.

Mine took it very seriously - he had been treating me for depression for a long time. He asked a lot of questions, tried to make sure I was safe (asked about meds in the house) and then we talked about what we should do; immediate crisis team, chasing up ongoing MH referral.
He was lovely and I trusted him.

Well I saw a really lovely GP who was very nice to me and didn't make me feel guilty or anything.. so much so I cried when I got home. It's a nice feeling when someone is kind to you and listens. I don't have any intent so she reiterated about the importance of starting the meds (I have a fear about taking them) and told me to re refer for more counselling. I have to go back and see her in 2 weeks

My sister was signed off work and given anti depressants, she was backwards and forwards to the doctor she eventually tried to kill her self spending 4 weeks in ICU with 2 visits from a psychiatrist who said she was fine and signed her off to the local mental health team, who aren’t great. Support is terrible the people suffering With their mental health are being failed.

I’m waiting the next phone call to tell me she has done it again.

Op I'm glad you saw someone and that she was good. Do start the meds, they really do help. Be aware you may feel worse for a few days while your body adjusts but keep going with them. Do you have someone who can make sure you've taken them? My DH was in charge of mine for me for the first few weeks as I found it difficult to motivate myself to do anything some days, even take a pill.

Post on here for support too.

I've taken the first tablet 😳 can't believe I've actually done it. So far feel a bit anxious but not sure if that's just because I was anxious to start with.... I live with my DP but he doesn't know about any of this.

@MamaGee09 I'm sorry to hear about your sister's experience. Mental health support in this country is non existent now

Nothing. He printer out some stuff from the NHS website I could have done myself. When I told them they'd have blood in their hands if it ever happened they asked me to leave. I'll never ever ask for help about MH with the GP.

*printed

My relative managed to finally see a psychiatrist in outpatients after almost year's wait and many cancelled appointments. This Consultant Psychiatrist told my relative to always call an ambulance if he felt suicidal.

Nothing except I got given anti depressants.

Black cat is there a reason you haven't told him? I hid how bad things had got from my DH for a long time but it was a relief when he knew - for both of us. If you can tell your partner he can help support you?

Tell your partner.
A partner is there to support you