An open conversation Working To Wellbeing had with a client about their depression may well have saved their life.
Julie Denning, the managing director of vocational rehabilitation services provider Working To Wellbeing and chairwoman of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association (pictured), spoke to Health & Protection about the case this World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September).
“A team member actively worked with someone recovering from cancer and it turned out that the reason he was struggling was his depression,” Denning told Health & Protection.
“He was really struggling with it, we worked our way through it and we dealt with it.
“We looked at his medication and he started taking new medication. His medication made him actively suicidal.
“We could tell every week that we were talking to him it was getting worse from the story he was telling us.”
Denning said that the client had not been working at the time and improvements were noticed as soon as he came off the medication he was on.
“We needed to know what was happening.
“So we did all of the exploration from a clinical point of view and the only factor that seemed to be playing a role, and we needed to rule out, was the medication.
“In this case his consultant took him off the medication and he started to improve massively,” Denning continued.
“That was the answer in that case. There is always something causing somebody’s low mood. You’ve just got to identify what that is.”
Getting help
RedArc outlined key ways that individuals and organisations can provide support to staff who experience low moods.
These include:
Listening
Being listened to can be a great relief for those struggling with their mental health. Ask open questions to encourage the individual to talk and be honest about how they are feeling. Give the conversation time to develop as it can take a while for the individual to fully open up. Take their issues seriously and try not to judge their mindset or situation.
It’s okay to use the word ‘suicide’
There is no need to skirt around the subject of suicide. It’s okay to use the word, and it will not make it more likely that someone will act on their thoughts.
Professional support
Accessing professional support is an important next step which may initially be via the individual’s GP or via added-value services embedded into employee benefits, insurance, cash plans or affinity group memberships.
Communicate support clearly so that people know what is available and how to access it when their situation necessitates it.
Prevention
Suicide can be prevented.
Clinically trained mental health practitioners are best positioned to offer support before people get to that stage and have the professional knowledge and resources available, such as arranging specialist support, signposting to help, or recommending the most appropriate therapy.
Anyone could find themselves providing emotional support to someone who is in distress and it is essential that the emergency services are alerted if there is a concern about harm to the individual or others.
The importance of reaching out
Christine Husbands, commercial director at RedArc, said: “There is no substitute for professional support when an individual has suicidal thoughts, but anyone could find themselves having an unexpected conversation with a friend, family member, colleague or even a stranger who has mental health problems.
“There are a few things to keep in mind when offering support, including listening and not judging.
“Nobody should underestimate the importance of reaching out, and the power of listening in.”