Does talking about being suicidal actually help?

[LlamaPjama]

Just that really, in the aftermath of Caroline Flack and all the #bekind, I'm just aching to know if anyone has any experience where just saying "this is how I feel" has changed how you feel?

Because actually saying it doesn't change any circumstances, does it?!

I don’t think saying it helps, I do think someone responding does though

I think knowing someone out there cares and wants to help and will be listen does help. Nothing will stop someone determined to end their life though

Do you want to talk @LlamaPjama?

It definitely helps even if you don't see it at the time. I suffer with suicidality once or twice a year due to a mh condition and I used to bottle it up because in the moment it seems pointless to share. But acknowledging it out loud always take a little power from it and means those close to you or involved from a medical standpoint know what you're dealing with and what they're dealing with and that can't be a bad thing.

Are you OK?

If you've spent a lot of time fighting the feeling it can be a relief to just hold your hands up and say this is what I'm going through and it's bloody hard. Have you got anyone you feel you could say something to?

As an ex-Samaritan, I 100% believe having that space to verbalise and work through your thought process around something, be listened to and supported, can help massively. As with any upsetting issue, talking about it with someone who understands you is usually very helpful; but talking about suicidal thoughts is off-limits with most people - your family/friends would be upset, doctors/therapists may take action and have safeguarding responsibility for you.
I listened to so many distressed callers who phoned in the heat of the moment, experiencing excruciating mental & emotional pain, just wanting it all to end, but by talking things through with no judgement, no advice or instruction, just space to talk and be heard, so so often brought them to a place where they could stay and keep surviving for a bit longer.

I think talking in those circumstances is exactly what needs to be done. Unfortunately it needs to be with the right person.

That's true. Opening up to the wrong person can be dangerous if you're in a delicate state. Trust your gut on it in regards to who you talk to. Sometimes professionals or the samaritans etc are easier to talk to because they're not close personally so you don't have the guilt in play.