#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – How Do I Do ‘#SuicideWatch’ At Home?

Some people still at imminent risk of #suicide leave hospital to be cared for at home by their partner.

So their partner becomes their carer. That person is then on alert for extended periods of time for future #suicideattempts. This is all while helping with their loved one’s medication, liaising with #healthprofessionals, working or looking after other family members.

But there’s hardly any advice for carers on how to do “#suicidewatch” at home. Partners can be left to improvise, leading to high levels of distress. In a recent disclosure, one #woman described how she tied herself to her suicidal partner for nine days before finding help for him.

We’re #socialworkers with a special interest in #grief, and preventing #suicide and related distress. Here’s what can help while doing “#suicidewatch” at home and how to get support.

Read more: #Suiciderisk is high for #military and emergency workers – but support for their families and peers is missing

We’ve conducted our own research into available supports for family carers with a loved one at home who’s at risk of #suicide.

What we’ve found so far is that #mentalhealthservices often provide surveillance for people in their facilities who are at risk of taking their lives. But there’s not always enough beds in crisis wards, space in emergency departments or culturally safe care available.

This means partners, family and friends are left to provide practical surveillance at home.

A 2020 report we prepared for the Prime Minister’s National #SuicidePrevention Adviser described carers’ experiences.

Carers told us they felt ill-equipped when asked, or felt they had to do “#suicidewatch”, given the gravity of the situation.

Often carers were told by #healthprofessionals, while waiting for crisis care, or when discharged after the immediate #suicidecrisis had subsided, to keep an eye on the person at all times. They were also told to check for access to means of #suicide to keep the house “safe”.

The effect of the intense monitoring meant carers, who did have to leave the house to go to work or to seek their own support, had to ask friends and extended family to take on, or help with, surveillance duties.

Carers felt ill-equipped when left to cope at home

Carers in this situation are a distinct group of people who need support and resources. That’s because their role complements the work of crisis and community #mentalhealthservices.

But when we looked at what was available for them online – clear and logical information about how to keep an eye on a person – we couldn’t find any single Australian resource that identified the practical aspects of doing “#suicidewatch” at home.

Read more: Why are we losing so many Indigenous #children to #suicide?

#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org                            Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy



www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

What practical things might help?

Here are some practical tips, mainly based on what carers say works:

- talk to the person you are caring for, using some of these conversation starters. These conversations will help shape how you might keep an eye on them, with their consent

- ensure you have consent from the person you are caring for to speak to their GP, or treating team and know the phone numbers for crisis #mentalhealth when your concern levels rise

- start a conversation with the person about developing a safety plan, which may change over time. This will help you understand what the possible risks might be in the home. You can then support that person to enact their safety plan, empowering them and yourself

- lock medication cupboards, remove access to toxic substances, or any other means that might place a person at risk. This can increase safety in the short term

- sleep close to the person’s room. Go to them if they call out or if you are concerned about how they are coping

- reach out to other people in your family or friend network to say you are keeping an eye on a loved one. This may help share the tasks and give you some time out. Carers have a right to look after their own needs, alongside caring for a family member or friend.

Read more: How to ask someone you're worried about if they're thinking of #suicide

What needs to happen next?

Vague directives to carers to “just keep an eye on them” until care arrives, or services become available, can make people feel ill-equipped and unsupported when providing care at home.

No-one should have to tie themselves to their loved one for nine days to remain vigilant about the risk of #suicide until accessing help.

We also need longer-term practical and emotional supports for carers, beyond immediate advice on how to do “#suicidewatch” at home. We need adequate health funding to do this.

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