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Thoughts of suicide - what to do as a relative

introduction

Thoughts of suicide occur in many people and do not always have to be immediately dangerous, but one should remain vigilant. People with mental illnesses such as depression or schizophrenia are particularly affected. These thoughts are not only very stressful for the person concerned, the relatives also have to deal with them. Since something like this is not usually experienced every day, dealing with the topic is often very difficult and can quickly become overwhelming. It is therefore important to seek professional support at an early stage. But how exactly do you proceed in such a situation?

What should I do if a loved one has thoughts of suicide?

First of all, one should know that raising suicidal thoughts or plans will not harm the person concerned and will not incite them to actually commit suicide. On the contrary: you shouldn't be afraid to speak openly about this topic. For those affected, it is usually a relief to finally find a contact person. During the conversation you should try to find out whether there is an acute danger. There are two central questions that can be asked:

Are there or have there already been specific suicide plans?
Have or have there already been suicide attempts?

These two questions are a better way of assessing how acute and dangerous the situation is. If the person concerned has already made plans or even made preparations, he should go to a psychiatric clinic with inpatient treatment as soon as possible, outpatient treatment no longer makes sense here! Ideally, the person concerned agrees and you can accompany him to the psychiatric ward yourself, under no circumstances should you leave him or her alone. However, if the situation is too dangerous, especially because there is a risk to yourself or others, it is advisable to alert the ambulance service, who may then also call the police.
However, not all those affected are acutely at risk, many initially only have vague thoughts of suicide. In such a case, it is particularly important to listen very carefully, to be patient and not to judge the person concerned or not to take them seriously. Try to be understanding and not put moral pressure on you. It is best to take your time and have a quiet conversation in a private, protected place where the person concerned feels comfortable. Such a situation takes a lot of courage from the listener and can be overwhelming. As a relative, there is no need to seek the reason for these thoughts or the solution to the mental illness. The support through listening plays a big role. The next step is to seek help. If you try to take responsibility for yourself alone, it can happen that you get yourself into a psychological crisis due to the stress.

Find out more about the topic here Depression and Suicide or Depression - Important Information for Family Members

Where can I find help?

As already mentioned, the emergency services or the police should be notified immediately if the person concerned is in acute danger. If the situation is not acute, a discussion with the person affected should be the first step. If there are thoughts of suicide, you can first contact your family doctor, who can take the first steps and, above all, see a resident psychotherapist or psychiatrist. Of course, you can also make an appointment yourself, but your family doctor is the first point of contact. The difference between a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist is that the psychiatrist is a doctor and therefore not only offers psychotherapy, but also drug therapies. Another point of contact for more specific suicidality is the emergency room of a psychiatric clinic. Acute help can be provided there and inpatient admission can be offered if necessary. It is also important to know that relatives can also need help. For example, self-help groups for relatives of people with mental illnesses are suitable for this. Psychotherapeutic advice or support can also be helpful.

Find out here what actually happens with a psychotherapy happens.

Forced admission

In the case of compulsory admission, the patient is taken to a closed psychiatric ward against his will and has to stay there for a certain period of time. Such a drastic measure comes into question when there is an acute risk to yourself or others. First of all, a voluntary briefing must be offered. However, if the person concerned does not consent, forced placement will be considered. Depending on the federal state, this applies for 12 to 24 hours; for longer periods of time, a judge must decide whether further forced placement is justified.

What should one address as a relative?

As a relative, you shouldn't be afraid to bring up the subject of suicide. This can help those affected and encourage them to seek help. If possible, you should ask whether the person concerned has already made precise plans or made preparations to commit suicide. A suicide attempt that has already taken place increases the risk of further attempts. In this case one should act immediately and seek professional help.It is not necessary to analyze the reasons for these thoughts or to give a lot of advice, the loved one must and cannot replace the psychiatrist or psychotherapist. Listening and providing assistance in finding help is also a very important contribution.
However, it is also important to observe your own limits. If the conversation or the situation gets overwhelming, family members should seek help for themselves. Suicide is a difficult subject and can be very stressful for everyone involved.

Which doctor is responsible?

In the case of suicidal thoughts, the first point of contact can be your family doctor. They often know the patient's medical history and can assess the situation well. If necessary, he can also refer the patient to a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. The psychiatrist is responsible for acute thoughts of suicide and mental illness. This can treat with the help of psychotherapy and drug therapy. If drug therapy is not (initially) necessary, a psychological psychotherapist can be consulted.

Further information

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