{"id":5978,"date":"2022-04-21T15:06:31","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T14:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.devon.gov.uk\/supportforschools\/?page_id=5978"},"modified":"2024-11-20T18:26:40","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T18:26:40","slug":"no-44-suicide-ideation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/safeguarding\/guidance-policy-and-tools-2\/safeguarding-one-minute-guides\/no-44-suicide-ideation\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 44 Suicide ideation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#no-44-suicide-ideation\">Suicide ideation<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#why-do-young-people-experience-suicide-ideation\">Why do young people experience suicide ideation?<\/a><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-are-the-possible-signs-of-suicide-ideation\">What are the possible signs of suicide ideation?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#signs-of-depression-in-children-and-teenagers-can-include\">Signs of depression in children and teenagers can include:<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#signs-of-anxiety-in-children-and-teenagers-can-include\">Signs of anxiety in children and teenagers can include:<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-you-might-hear\">What you might hear:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#how-can-you-support-someone-experiencing-suicide-ideation\">How can you support someone experiencing suicide ideation?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#how-to-start-a-conversation\">How to start a conversation?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#w-a-i-t\">W.A.I.T<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#myths-and-facts-about-suicide\">Myths and facts about suicide<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#website-links-and-resources\">Website links and resources<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"dcc-documents-cpt-fixed dccdocs-sticky dccdocs-hidden\">\r\n    <div class=\"grid-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x\">\r\n            <div class=\"cell medium-12\">\r\n                <a class=\"back-to-top hide-for-print\" href=\"#content\"><svg class=\"app-c-back-to-top__icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"13\" height=\"17\" viewBox=\"0 0 13 17\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.5 0L0 6.5 1.4 8l4-4v12.7h2V4l4.3 4L13 6.4z\"><\/path><\/svg> Contents<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:41.333%\"><div class=\"document-meta-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-673e29dd15930\"><div class=\" dcc-documents-meta\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><p class=\"dcc-documents-published\"><span>Published<\/span> <time datetime=\"2022-04-21T15:06:31+00:00\">21\/04\/2022 3:06pm<\/time><\/p><p class=\"dcc-documents-updated\"><span>Last Updated<\/span> <time datetime=\"2024-11-20T18:26:40+00:00\">20\/11\/2024 6:26pm<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:58.666%\"><div class=\"document-download-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-673e29dd1595b\">\r\n\r\n\t\t<div class=\" dcc-documents-downloads hide-for-print\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><div class=\"content-container\"><div class=\"content-column download-copy\"><h2 class=\"dcc-documents-title\">Document resources<\/strong><\/h2><p class=\"dcc-documents-intro\">These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"content-column download-button\"><ul class=\"dcc-documents-widget-dropdown dcc-documents-widget-menu\"><li class=\"dcc-documents-widget-is-dropdown\"><button class=\"button secondary dcc-documents-widget-noarrow dcc-documents-widget-button dcc-documents-widget-download-button\" >Download<\/button><ul id=\"\" class=\"dcc-documents-widget-vertical dcc-documents-widget-menu dcc-documents-widget-is-submenu\" data-disable-hover=\"true\" data-click-open=\"true\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EYjnIojUF25ImMUZmym6iV4Bzs3eqBjSrN6Hd9ClgKrG-A?e=iPEU81\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"dcc-documents-widget-text\"><span>No. 44 Suicide ideation (Document)<\/span><\/span><span class=\"dcc-documents-widget-size\">145KB<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"no-44-suicide-ideation\">Suicide ideation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Suicide ideation is the abstract thought of ending your life or believing that other people may be better off without you.&nbsp; It is important to remember that a person expressing suicide ideation does not necessarily go on to complete suicide.<br><strong>If you believe a person to be in immediate danger and\/or someone has hurt themselves and you think their injuries are life-threatening, call an ambulance on 999. You can do this whether you are with them in person or not. You will need to be able to give a location.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-do-young-people-experience-suicide-ideation\">Why do young people experience suicide ideation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is quite natural for young people to become stressed or anxious about things such as exams or moving school. However there may be significant risk factors that present themselves or that a young person has experienced in the past which may trigger suicide ideation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Previous self-harm, suicidal thoughts or suicide attempt<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Substance use<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evidence of mental health problems, especially depression, psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder or eating disorder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>History of experiencing physical, emotional or sexual abuse<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loss or bereavement \u2013 could include loss of relationships or social status (anniversaries can be significant)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pressure on social media<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Family factors \u2013 instability (divorce, separation, changes of care giver, repeated house moves), conflict, arguments, domestic violence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Family history of suicide, mental illness or substance misuse<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Issues of gender or sexual orientation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Children and young people who may have been radicalised<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bullying<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-are-the-possible-signs-of-suicide-ideation\">What are the possible signs of suicide ideation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"signs-of-depression-in-children-and-teenagers-can-include\">Signs of depression in children and teenagers can include:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>persistent low-mood or lack of motivation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>not enjoying things they used to like doing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>becoming withdrawn and spending less time with friends and family<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>experiencing low self-esteem or feeling like they are \u2018worthless\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>feeling tearful or upset regularly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>changes in eating or sleeping habits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"signs-of-anxiety-in-children-and-teenagers-can-include\">Signs of anxiety in children and teenagers can include:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>becoming socially withdrawn and avoiding spending times with friends or family<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>feeling nervous or \u2018on edge\u2019 a lot of the time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>suffering panic attacks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>feeling tearful, upset or angry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>trouble sleeping and changes in eating habits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-you-might-hear\">What you might hear:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u2018I can\u2019t take it any more\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2018Nobody cares about me\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2018I can\u2019t see the point any more\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2018Everyone would be better off if I weren\u2019t here\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2018Nothing matters any more\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2018I\u2019m going to top myself\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-can-you-support-someone-experiencing-suicide-ideation\">How can you support someone experiencing suicide ideation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important not to describe the young person\u2019s thoughts as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>selfish<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>stupid<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cowardly or weak<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a choice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a sin (for example, tell that person he\/she is going to hell)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<br>Instead start up a conversation. You are not putting that person at greater risk by asking if they want to talk about their worries. In fact a short conversation could be the difference between life and death. (Take a look at #smalltalksaveslives video, link at end of OMG.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-start-a-conversation\">How to start a conversation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Could you use the following to help start a conversation?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cI\u2019ve noticed that you haven\u2019t been yourself lately, is everything ok with you?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cI\u2019m worried about you. I\u2019m wondering if we can talk about what\u2019s troubling you?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&nbsp;\u201cYou\u2019ve seemed really (down\/sad\/angry\/unhappy) lately. I\u2019m worried that you might be thinking of hurting yourself or suicide. Can we talk about this?\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<br>As with any safeguarding disclosure you cannot promise secrecy.&nbsp; It might be that the young person you have concerns about does not want to talk with you, always consider who that young persons trusted adult might be and involve them whenever possible.<br>Make sure that you listen to the young person and use all the communication skills you would when receiving a disclosure.&nbsp; Maintain eye contact, do not make judgements, minimise or judge their situation etc.<br>During the conversation if the young person gives the impression that they are serious in taking their own life it is important that you seek professional advice and support immediately.&nbsp; There are links to organisations that can provide support at the end of this document.&nbsp; You may also want to create a safety plan for the young person.&nbsp; If you feel the risk is low work with the young person to identify the support they need and the people around them that could help e.g. parents, class teacher, and football coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"w-a-i-t\">W.A.I.T<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2018WAIT\u2019 is one good way to remember how you can support another person who may be suicidal. WAIT stands for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&nbsp;<strong>W<\/strong> \u2013 Watch out for signs of distress and uncharacteristic behaviour<br>e.g. social withdrawal, excessive quietness, irritability, uncharacteristic outburst, talking about death or suicide<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong> A<\/strong> \u2013 Ask \u201care you having suicidal thoughts?\u201d. Asking about suicide does not\u202fencourage it, nor does it lead a person to start thinking about it;\u202fin fact it may help prevent it,\u202fand can start a potentially life-saving conversation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>I<\/strong> \u2013 It will pass; assure them that, with help, their suicidal feelings will pass with time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>T<\/strong> \u2013 Talk to others \u2013 encourage them to seek help from a GP or health professional<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"myths-and-facts-about-suicide\">Myths and facts about suicide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Myth: People who talk about suicide won\u2019t really do it<\/strong><br><strong>Fact<\/strong>:&nbsp;Almost everyone who attempts suicide has given some clue or warning. Don\u2019t ignore even indirect references to death or suicide. Statements like \u201cYou\u2019ll be sorry when I\u2019m gone,\u201d \u201cI can\u2019t see any way out,\u201d\u2014no matter how casually or jokingly said\u2014may indicate serious suicidal feelings.<br><strong>Myth:&nbsp;Anyone who tries to kill him\/herself must be crazy.<\/strong><br><strong>Fact<\/strong>:&nbsp;Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They are upset, grief-stricken, depressed or despairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are not necessarily signs of mental illness.<br><strong>Myth:&nbsp;If a person is determined to kill him\/herself, nothing is going to stop them.<\/strong><br><strong>Fact<\/strong>:&nbsp;Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, wavering until the very last moment between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop. The impulse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.<br><strong>Myth<\/strong>:&nbsp;People who die by suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help.<br><strong>Fact<\/strong>:&nbsp;Studies of suicide victims have shown that more than half had sought medical help in the six months prior to their deaths.<br><strong>Myth<\/strong>:&nbsp;Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.<br><strong>Fact<\/strong>:&nbsp;You don\u2019t give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true\u2014bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"website-links-and-resources\">Website links and resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The information contained in this OMG has been gathered from a number of sources \u2013 links for these are provided below. &nbsp;The links can provide further information for professionals, young people and their parents\/families.&nbsp; They also run courses if you want to know more about how to support young people and their mental health.<br>Statistics:<br>Suicides in England and Wales \u2013 Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)<br>World Health Organisation:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/docs\/default-source\/mental-health\/depression\/suicide-04-handouts-depression.pdf?sfvrsn=7c5eaac4_2\" rel=\"noopener\">Do you know someone who may be considering suicide?<\/a> (leaflet)<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DSCP: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devonscp.org.uk\/health-and-wellbeing\/suicide-awareness\/suicide-awareness-information-for-professionals\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Suicide awareness: Information for professionals<\/a><br>NHS: for tips on how to start a conversation, creating a safety plan, helpline support<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/suicide\/\" rel=\"noopener\">NHS help for suicidal thoughts<\/a><br>#smalltalksaveslives \u2013 Small talk saves lives (video)<br><a href=\"https:\/\/youngminds.org.uk\/find-help\/feelings-and-symptoms\/suicidal-feelings\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Young Minds support for young people, parents and professionals<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.childline.org.uk\/?gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMItpTzrJvk7QIVAdPtCh3Gug03EAAYASAAEgL5m_D_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds\" rel=\"noopener\">Childline website for further advice and link to \u2018chat\u2019 support function<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.torbaysafeguarding.org.uk\/statutory\/circumstances-and-riskskey-features\/mentalhealth\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Torbay Safeguarding Hub<\/a>: links to CYPMHS South Devon and Torbay and signposting to other organisation\u2019s in the locality.<br>NSPCC: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nspcc.org.uk\/keeping-children-safe\/childrens-mental-health\/depression-anxiety-mental-health\/#suicidal\" rel=\"noopener\">Depression, anxiety, mental health<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.papyrus-uk.org\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Papyrus<\/a>: Suicide Prevention Charity<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/using-the-nhs\/nhs-services\/mental-health-services\/children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-services-cypmhs\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Children and Young People\u2019s Mental Health Services<\/a> (formally CAMHS)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Suicide ideation Suicide ideation is the abstract thought of ending your life or believing that other people may be better off without you.&nbsp; It is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2436,"featured_media":0,"parent":5639,"menu_order":43,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"longdocument-template.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-5978","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"updated":"","dccdocs_documents":[{"title":"No. 44 Suicide ideation","file":"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EYjnIojUF25ImMUZmym6iV4Bzs3eqBjSrN6Hd9ClgKrG-A?e=iPEU81","file_size":"","unit_type":"KB","file_type":"Document"}],"section-guidance":"","sections":null},"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-07 08:49:35","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5978","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2436"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5978"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5978\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27950,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5978\/revisions\/27950"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}