OPINION by Kay Dunkley, Executive Officer, Pharmacists' Support Service: The number of people dying by suicide in Australia each year is higher than our national road toll, with eight Australians dying by suicide every day.
The impact of suicide is devastating because behind every statistic is a human life with family, friends and colleagues.
Most of us are touched by suicide at some time. Most suicides are preventable.
As health professionals we are often there when people are at their lowest ebb and are well placed to make a difference when someone is in crisis.
World Suicide Prevention Day and R U OK? Day both fall on 10 Sep each year, although every day is a day to ask someone how they are going if we are concerned by a change in their mood or behaviour.
This year the R U OK? Day message is "There's more to say after R U OK?"
The R U OK website www.ruok.org.au provides simple steps which can be used by us all to check in with our patients, our customers, our family and friends and also our work colleagues.
This year has been a challenging one for everyone and circumstances have made it even more important for us all to stay connected and be willing to support those around us.
Pharmacists, alongside other health professionals including doctors, nurses, dentists and also vets, have a higher rate of suicide than the general population.
As pharmacists we often spend more time with our work colleagues than with our family.
We may notice a change in a colleague's mood or behaviour.
If we are concerned about someone we work with it is important to be prepared to reach out to that person.
Some tips towards making a difference to the suicide statistics when you are concerned about someone:
Ask how someone is going.
Keep it casual but private, the location should be away from other people who may interrupt.
Ask an open ended question.
Tell them why you are concerned.
If they are not ready to talk, let them know you are available to talk when they are ready. Try again without being insistent on another day and let them know that you care.
Listen
Listen without giving advice or trying to solve the problem.
Don't judge or criticise and acknowledge that what they are going through is tough.
Be patient and sit with silence and emotions.
Show you have heard by reflecting back what they have said in your own words.
If you need to clarify thoughts of suicide ask clearly and unambiguously "Are you thinking of suicide?" or "Are thinking of killing yourself?" You will not be putting the idea into their mind and it gives them permission to talk about suicide if it is on their mind.
Never promise confidentiality about thoughts of suicide.
Encourage action
Ask about their support network.
Ask how you can help, right now and going forward.
Ask if something has helped previously in a similar situation.
If someone is having thoughts of suicide link them to professional help. This could be an urgent appointment with their GP or counsellor or a helpline such as the Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or Lifeline 13 11 14.
If you are concerned about someone who is having thoughts of suicide do not leave them alone until they are linked up with further help.
Follow up within a week
Let them know you have been thinking about them.
Ask how they are going.
Stay in touch and be there for them. Genuine care and concern can make a real difference.
As members of the pharmacy profession we belong to a community.
The Pharmacists' Support Service was established by the pharmacy community to provide support over the telephone to pharmacy colleagues who are going through difficult times or are feeling stressed.
The service is provided by trained volunteers who are all pharmacists or retired pharmacists. It is available every day of the year from 8.00 am to 11.00 pm AEST/AEDT on 1300244910. We are as close as your phone and if you need to call we will be there.
Useful resources:
www.ruok.org.au
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
www.lifeline.org.au
www.supportforpharmacists.org.au
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/ten/
coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/impacts-on-my-work/essential-services.html
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 10 Sep 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 10 Sep 20
