after a suicide attempt

by Sally Burningham

Geoff, single and in his early forties, leads a full life. He has a satisfying, steady job, lots of friends and many interests. However, in the past Geoff has suffered from deep depressions. 'I quite often felt suicidal and despairing, but I had this idea that I should try and get through it on my own, though I did have the occasional session of counselling,' he recalls. His longest depression lasted about nine months. 'I was trying to build up a career as a musician, which can be an up and down profession at the best of times, and the periods where no work was available certainly didn't help.'

the lowest point

© stockbyte

About seven years ago he reached such low ebb that he decided to take an overdose. 'I had no work and no relationship at the time, which probably contributed to my complete lack of self esteem,' he admits. 'I felt too down and lethargic even to see those friends who invited me out. It was as though there was a lead weight attached to me and I had no motivation to take any steps that might have improved the situation.' Geoff remembers that he just spiralled down and down till he felt out and out desperation. 'It seemed that there was no way out of the position I was in and what is more I felt so low that I just didn't care.' Luckily, he now feels, a friend rang just after he had taken the overdose. 'Although I told him everything was fine he sensed something was wrong. He drove over immediately and rushed me to the nearest Accident & Emergency department.'

the right kind of help

It is, of course, crucial that people receive help when they are feeling suicidal and after a suicide attempt. You may want to read about this in the feature on suicide. Such help should include a proper assessment of their problems so that appropriate help can be offered. Such help might include medication, counselling or other therapies or support from health professional or voluntary organisations, for example.

Geoff now believes that there are lots of different ways in which people can be helped to overcome their depression and suicidal feelings. What is important is that each person finds the way that is right for them and the individual practitioner or therapist that meets their particular needs.

What has helped Geoff has been an approach known as NLP or neuro-linguistic programming. 'Despite its rather off-putting name, it is a very straightforward approach that aims to help you manage your thoughts, moods and behaviours so that you can look at situations in a more positive way,' he explains. 'I have also found that it has enabled me to communicate more effectively, improve some skills I already possessed and even acquire some new ones! In fact, I have found it an amazing help and it has continued to be so, but of course, it is just one of many possible approaches and it may not suit everyone. If you are in the same sort of situation as I was in, be prepared to search for what is appropriate for you.'

making use of experience

Geoff has been free from severe depression for the last seven years. He works full time for a mental health charity, pursuing his music in his spare time. 'I am aware that society still does not deal with mental health in a very open way so I hope my experiences have enabled me to empathise with others in similar situations,' he remarks. 'Although at one level I would have preferred not to have gone through what I did, at another – because thankfully I came through – I do feel empowered by the experience.'

help and info

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To find out more about suicide check out our feature suicidal feelings.

organisations

CALM: Campaign Against Living Miserably
Helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (every day 5pm-3am)
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Confidential, anonymous freephone helpline aimed at young men aged 15-35 living in Manchester, Merseyside, Cumbria and Bedfordshire who may be feeling low or depressed. Offers telephone counselling and information about other sources of help locally.

Depression Alliance
35 Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7JB
Telephone: 0845 123 23 20
E-mail: information@depressionalliance.org
Website: www.depressionalliance.org
National network of self-help groups for people experiencing depression. Offers a quarterly newsletter, national pen friend scheme and correspondence service with advice, guidance, support and fellowship to people experiencing depression, and their carers. Produces booklets and leaflets on various aspects of depression.

Mental Health Foundation
Sea Containers House
20 Upper Ground
London SE1 9QB
Tel: 020 7803 1100
E-mail: mhf@mhf.org.uk
Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Working to improve the support available for people with mental health problems and people with learning disabilities. Offers information and literature on all aspects of mental health, including where to get help, information about specific mental health problems, treatments and rights.

Mind (National Association for Mental Health)
15-19 Broadway
London E15 4BQ
Tel: 020 8519 2122
Mind Infoline: 0845 766 0163 (Mon-Fri 9.15am-4.15pm)
E-mail: contact@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk
Campaigns for better mental health services in England and Wales, through its national office, regional offices and network of over 200 local branches, some of which also provide services. Publishes a range of helpful books and leaflets. Contact them for details of your nearest local group and for more information.

PAPYRUS (Prevention of Suicides)
Rossendale GH
Union Road
Rawtenstall BB4 6NE
Tel: 01706 214449 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-1.30pm)
Helpline: 0870 170 4000 (national rate) or 01978 367333 (Mon-Fri 7-10pm; Sat-Sun 2-5pm)
E-mail: admin@papyrus-uk.org
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
A national charity working in suicide prevention. Involved in raising awareness, research and consultation. Produces resources for health and education. The helpline offers professional help, practical advice and information to the parents, carers, teachers, professionals and friends of young people at risk of suicide.

Samaritans
c/o Chris
PO Box 90 90
Stirling FK8 2SA
Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (24 hours)
E-mail: jo@samaritans.org
Website: www.samaritans.org.uk
The Samaritans exists to provide confidential emotional support to any person, irrespective of race, creed, age or status who is in emotional distress or at risk of suicide; 24 hours a day. Can be contacted by e-mail, telephone, writing, or by visiting one of over 200 local branches (details are on the website).

SANE
1st Floor
Cityside House
40 Adler Street
London E1 1EE
SANELINE: 0845 767 8000 (every day 12pm-2am)
E-mail: london@sane.org.uk (admin queries only)
Website: www.sane.org.uk
SANELINE is a national mental health helpline providing information and support for people with mental health problems, and those who support them. They can provide information on illnesses and symptoms, local and national mental health services, medication, treatments and therapies.

Trust for the Study of Adolescence (TSA)
23 New Road
Brighton BN1 1WZ
Tel: 01273 693311 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
E-mail: publications@tsa.uk.com
Website: www.tsa.uk.com
An independent research organisation and registered charity. Carries out and supports research into adolescence, and provides information to parents and professionals through its publications department by offering a range of materials on adolescence. Also runs conference and training events (NB. they are not a helpline and do not offer advice to parents).

YoungMinds
102-108 Clerkenwell Road
London EC1M 5SA
Tel: 020 7336 8445 (info and publications)
Parents Information Service: 0800 018 2138 (Mon-Fri 10am-1pm; Tues, Weds, Thurs 1-4pm)
E-mail: enquiries@youngminds.org.uk
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
National charity committed to improving the mental health of all children and young people. Campaigns for better provision of child and adolescent mental health services. Provides information to anyone with concerns about the mental health or emotional well-being of a child or young person. Can give information on mental health issues, and details of local and national advice services. Leaflets for young people, and other helpful information are available on their award-winning mental health site.

for people wanting an accredited NLP practitioner or other therapist:

British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
35-37 Albert Street
Rugby CV21 2SG
Tel: 0870 443 5252 (Mon-Fri 8.45am-5pm)
E-mail: bacp@bacp.co.uk
Website: www.bacp.co.uk
BACP can provide you with a list of private counsellors in your area, plus information on counselling and choosing a counsellor. Please telephone or send an SAE to the above address. Alternatively, you can search for a counsellor at the website which, along with an online directory of counsellors, contains details about membership, training and an extensive publications list.

United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
167-169 Great Portland Street
London W1W 5PF
Tel: 020 7436 3002
E-mail: ukcp@psychotherapy.org.uk
Website: www.psychotherapy.org.uk
Umbrella group for over 5000 practitioners all registered through member organisations. Will provide lists of registered psychotherapists free of charge; the database can be searched by local area or other criteria such as wheelchair access or language.

Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy and Counselling Association
NLPtCA Administrator
41 Cooks Road
London SE17 3NG
Tel: 0870 241 3276 (24-hour answerphone service, messages are retrieved and responded to every 1-2 days)
E-mail: administration@nlptca.com
Website: www.nlptca.com
Aims to develop and maintain standards for the practice of Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy and Counselling interests. Cannot recommend trainers or therapists, but will provide lists and general advice to members of the public. Website lists those members of NLPtCA who have been recognised as fulfilling a standard set of criteria to become validated/accredited Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapists.

websites

All About Depression
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/page.cfm?pagecode=PBBFDP
Online booklet published by the Mental Health Foundation, for those wanting to know more about depression. Features further reading and resources.

Befrienders (run by The Samaritans)
www.befrienders.org
Befrienders listen to people who are lonely, despairing or considering suicide. They don't judge them, don't tell them what to do. They listen. People who feel suicidal are often so focused on a particular problem or pain that they find it difficult to see a way forward. Talking openly to a befriender, in a safe and confidential environment, can help. By listening to a suicidal person, a befriender helps them to listen to themselves. If you're in distress and want to talk to someone via email, please email jo@samaritans.org

If you are thinking about suicide, read this first
www.metanoia.org/suicide
Contains conversations and writings for suicidal persons to read.

Suicide: NetDoctor
www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/suicide.htm
Brief NetDoctor article on suicide, with links to more information on possible causes of suicidal feelings.

Suicide Prevention Help
http://members.tripod.com/~suicideprevention/index.html
Personal site aimed at those who are contemplating suicide, from someone who has been there.

reading

A Time to Listen: Preventing Youth Suicide by Patricia Hermes (Thompson Learning, 1987)
Interviews with parents and teenagers explore some of the myths and realities of suicide examining such aspects as motives, warning signs, effects on others, and prevention.
Get this book

Not with My Life I Don't: Preventing Your Suicide and That of Others by Howard Rosenthal (Taylor and Francis, 1988)
Discusses the causes of suicide and how it may be prevented. Also examines suicidal behavior and how a person's will may be used to save his or her life.
Get this book

Preventing Elderly Suicide: Overcoming Personal Despair, Professional Neglect, and Social Bias (The Springer Series on Death & Suicide) by Joseph Richman (Springer Publishing Company, 1993)
It is often supposed that suicide is predominately a youth issue but the over 65s are in fact the group most at risk. This book explores the unique issues that the elderly face and examines how to overcome the problems that can contribute to suicide.
Get this book

(December 2001, resources updated December 2004)

For further information about organisations, websites and reading, go to our get help directory.