have you ever talked about suicide?
- theantidoterecover
- Sep 5, 2024
- 2 min read
i have ptsd and suicide for life. i didn't choose either.
for suicide september, i'll share some of my experience.
warning: this is about suicide.
[please give consent or stop reading]
if i'm talking about suicide, i'm alive: facts.
goals for suicide sept: suicide prevention
realistic ideal: talk about suicide
talking raises awareness.
gaining awareness is uncomfortable.
talking about suicide is uncomfortable.
talking about suicide is the way to raise awareness.
if you find yourself talking to someone with suicide, you’re a potential tether for them. there's still help. if you’re capable and willing to have this conversation, this is what i’ve learned.
talking to someone w suicide:
offer only help you can consistently give
set boundaries: start by setting a time this conversation ends and a next time to talk after this
stick to your boundaries
pause
listen
ask if they feel like talking about it
ask how suicide feels
pause
listen
there’s silence in suicide. sit comfortably tethered to each other in it.
be as real as you possibly can. keeping someone in reality when they're actively suicidal is important. talk to them the way you always have. that's the help they need if they’ve reached out to you. don't panic. feel sturdy in who you've been for them. stick to facts. stay away from emotions and adjectives. versions of truth are subjective and slippery, facts are objective and sturdy. less is more. a suicidal mind is slippery and anchors to what's sturdy.
if you feel you can support this person, start considering ways to support yourself. be honest w the suicidal person about what you need and who you'll involve in your own support system. pledge your confidentiality to the group (don’t tell anyone about your suicide conversation unless the person with suicide gives consent).
trust.
suicide isn't about finding reasons for living. it's about trying not to die.
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