The physical and social distancing practices in place now has many feeling beside their usual selves. It also has a few feeling fatalistic about their lives and existence.
One person posted thoughts of suicide recently. And I have been receiving messages from people asking for a hug to feel less depressed and/or prevent themselves for going over the edge.
I have done what I was taught to do by my training and very personal experiences on the job and privately. Give hotline numbers to call and online resources I have collated over the past 10 years or so.
But I'm feeling inadequate to handle it despite my knowledge, understanding and experience. And the number of folks feeling depressed and potentially ideating ( expressing or thinking) suicide is increasing. In the past week alone I have received 3 such messages from different individuals. And it truly bothers me.
One part of me wants to have nothing to do with it. So I ignore it. I delete and move on.
Another part of me wants to help. But my knowledge, understanding and experience tells me there are many effective ways to handle it. In addition to giving the person resources at a moment when they're really crying for help and seeking understanding and acknowledgement for what ever it is they're dealing with. What else can a lay person do ?
This is especially unique because of the nature of what this community purports to offer. What does connection really mean in the context of someone feeling desperate and/or daring enough to post thoughts of wanting to end his life?
We can speculate all we want on why the person did so. It could be so many variables.
But as a community it may be useful to empower ourselves on how to respond to and engage meaningful conversation on how we approach this situation.
What are the best available evidence of the practices and approaches that work when dealing with persons who express such thoughts?
It might be useful to list them here for the benefit of all whether you're a health care professional or not. We have all encountered such situations at one point or another in our lives.
Let's be respectful, thoughtful and understanding. These are difficult times.