What is the theory behind this Mental Health Education worksheet?
According to WHO suicide is the fourth leading cause of death around the world. Among the millions who end up taking their own life there are many who are either making several attempts or persistently thinking about it. Suicide is nothing short of the worst of tragedies that affects not just the individuals family and friends but leaves the entire community in anguish.
There are many warning signs in our loved ones that can indicate their inclination towards committing this heinous act.. All we have to do is keep our eyes and ears open and lend a helping hand to anyone around us who shows us these signs.
How will the worksheet help?
This worksheet will provide a list of warning signs that can be recognized in people who are thinking of attempting suicide. This information can help family friends to look out for their loved ones and intervene when possible and however possible so that this tragedy can be prevented.
How to use the worksheet?
This infosheet can be distributed among the general public or handed over to caretakers of clients with mental illnesses, specially those who have shown suicidal thoughts in sessions. It can also be used in mental health awareness campaigns in schools, colleges and workplaces.
Identifying Mental Health Education Worksheet
Following are some warning signs about a loved one’s inclination towards wanting to commit suicide. It is important to seek professional help if you know someone who is showing these signs of extreme distress
- You’d notice them talking a lot about:
- wanting to die
- wanting to kill themselves
- feeling an emptiness/void that cannot be filled y any means
- how hopeless their life is
- how they have no reason to continue living
- how they have no way out of their problems/issues
- feeling like they are trapped
- feeling immense physical or emotional pain
- being a burden on others, specially their closed loved ones who are responsible for them
- wanting to say goodbye
- seeking revenge out of rage
- feelings of excessive guilt or shame
- Things you would notice in their behaviour:
- wanting to avoid family and friends
- giving away their possessions that are very important to them
- doing things that indicate their preparing for death such drafting and sharing a will
- engaging in risky behaviour that could lead to death such rash driving
- rapid and extreme changes in their mood
- marked changes in their sleeping and eating habits and routines
- increased usage of substances (drugs and alcohol)
- anxious and agitated
| What can you do to help? | ||||
| Talk to them – Lend an ear to their problems | Frequent check-ins to make sure they are safe | Offer to take them to the hospital, or provide information about suicide hotlines | Inform other people they are close with/live with | Offer any support you can to help them destress |
References
You can download this worksheet here.