Engaging communities to talk about suicide

Jaelea SkehanDirectorHunter Institute of Mental Health

The Hunter Institute of Mental Health is a leading

National organisation dedicated to reducing

mental illness and suicide and improving wellbeing

for all Australians.

Connection

Some reflections across community conversations and media coverage

Some assumptions

• Given suicide is a preventable cause of death which is important to communities, saying NOTHING about how to prevent it makes no sense.

• If you are worried that someone may be at risk of suicide, saying NOTHING makes no sense.

• If you know someone who has experienced a loss, saying NOTHING makes no sense.

• Given suicide is an issue that affects everyone, having a media that reports NOTHING about the issue makes no sense.

But…

Talking about suicide

• Suicide is an important issue of community concern;

• It is important that as a community we are engaged with the issue;

• Often confusion about what is meant by “discussing” or “talking about” suicide, and confusion about the evidence;

• Need to ensure we are not “too afraid” to talk about suicide, while respecting and understanding the risks.

Talking about suicide

The risk associated with the “discussion” seems to be related to: The focus of the information (about death, about how to cope

with a death, about the broader issue);

The status of the individual receiving the information (little interest, vulnerable, bereaved by suicide);

The format they receive the information (face-to-face, media);

The place they receive the information.

4 broad groups for communication:

1. Not affected and not interested;

2. Some level of interest or connection to the issue;

3. Vulnerable, at risk; **

4. Those affected or bereaved.

What we know and don’t know

We know:

• Talking to someone, one-on-one, directly about suicide will not increase their suicide risk (although the empirical evidence is weak);

• Media reporting of suicide deaths has been associated with increased risk for those who are vulnerable to suicide;

We don’t know:

• Whether group presentation about suicide will increase or decrease suicide risk (e.g. evidence from schools);

• Whether more general media reporting about suicide (or awareness campaigns) will increase or decrease risk.

Media challenges

• While talking about suicide will not generally increase risk, media is not a conversation, it is one way communication;

• Messages in editorial are not “market tested”. That is, we have no way of monitoring how the story is being interpreted by people sitting in their own homes;

• People may take away different messages than those that were intended;

• Raising awareness on its own (e.g. increasing reporting) is not enough to change behaviours;

• Not all media are the same – they don’t all have the capacity to cover the issues well.

Positive role of media?• The media has a role to play in raising awareness of suicide, but

there is generally a lack of evidence supporting any positive benefits.

• But some studies or expert opinion suggest that:

– Personal stories about someone who has managed suicidal risk as protective;

– Focussing on the impact suicide could be protective;

– Adding help-seeking information can be helpful;

– Adding information about risk factors and warning signs can be helpful.

One-on-one conversations

• People have reported avoiding the conversation for fear of saying the wrong thing or most likely to talk to others about the person.

• If you are worried about someone or know someone who has been affected or bereaved by suicide it is better to reach out than avoid the person.

• Avoiding the discussion can lead to people feeling more isolated.

One-on-one conversations Decide to talk to the person, preferably face-to-face; Listen without judgement and don’t try to fix the situation.

People want understanding rather than solutions; If you are worried they are thinking about suicide, then ask

directly and be prepared for the answer; Talk to the person about who else to involve so they can be

supported and encourage them to seek help. Take care of yourself. These conversations can be difficult and

you may need support as well.

Group conversations Understand the purpose of the discussion and the setting; Plan messages carefully – the larger the group, the less likely

you can monitor the response;– Messages will have different impacts depending on the

group and the reason they are coming together– We need to alert rather than alarm

Think about the words you use and details about suicide that are given;

Use an experienced facilitator who can manage responses; Think about how you will support people.

Conversations Matter

Community resources to guide and support safe and helpful conversations about suicide. Available online at www.conversationsmatter.com.au

Conversations Matter

The resources will assist communities when:

They want to know how to talk about suicide more generally.

They are worried about someone and want to know what to say and do.

There has been a death and they want to know how best to handle individual and community level conversations.

Resources available as:• Online presentation• Printed fact sheets• Podcast

Also has:• Links to services• Supporting

factsheets• Research reports

Our connection to others is what builds us up and keeps us strong.

Having people sit beside us when times are good and when times are bad can make all

the difference.

Connect with othersConnect with communityConnect with services

Contact Us:Email:

Jaelea.Skehan@hnehealth.nsw.gov.auMindframe@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au

himh@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au

Twitter:@jaeleaskehan

@HInstMH@MindframeMedia

Websites: www.himh.org.au

www.mindframe-media.infowww.conversationsmatter.com.au