my flatmate attempted suicide, what do I do
My flatmate was really sick yesterday morning (and still is under the weather), I bugged him a lot when I found him about why he was so ill, but he wouldn't give me an answer, so I just assumed he'd caught some sort of illness or something. It wasn't until I'd left to go study on campus today that he messaged me to say that he deliberately overdosed that night. He swears he's not gonna try again (for the immediate future) and I wanna believe him, otherwise I don't think he would have told me. But rn I'm internally freaking out in the library not being able to focus on studying (exams next week, if I could drop everything I would but I need to study). I don't know what to do, I know he attempted last year so this isn't new, should I be doing anything???? Should I be calling our GP surgery to tell them, or the uni support services?? I just don't know what I'm supposed to do in this situation, or if I should just do nothing and be there for him?? Any help or reassurance would be really appreciated
Original post by Anonymous
My flatmate was really sick yesterday morning (and still is under the weather), I bugged him a lot when I found him about why he was so ill, but he wouldn't give me an answer, so I just assumed he'd caught some sort of illness or something. It wasn't until I'd left to go study on campus today that he messaged me to say that he deliberately overdosed that night. He swears he's not gonna try again (for the immediate future) and I wanna believe him, otherwise I don't think he would have told me. But rn I'm internally freaking out in the library not being able to focus on studying (exams next week, if I could drop everything I would but I need to study). I don't know what to do, I know he attempted last year so this isn't new, should I be doing anything???? Should I be calling our GP surgery to tell them, or the uni support services?? I just don't know what I'm supposed to do in this situation, or if I should just do nothing and be there for him?? Any help or reassurance would be really appreciated
Talk to a mental health specialist. And stay around him, and if he starts to behave like he's going to attempt again or become a risk to himself or others call 999. It's nice to know that you are worried. Talk to people at MIND
Thank you, I called our GP and they're gonna call me back (soon I hope, as I want to get home to keep him company). It feels like I've only just processed that he would be dead right now if it worked as he intended. Apologies if the way forward seemed obvious, I hadn't really processed the gravity of the situation and felt paralysed, but now although I don't feel any better, I know that it's the right thing to do to contact someone, even if I feel guilty for doing it behind his back (although he'd probably understand, I just feel like I'm betraying him right now)
Original post by Wannabevetnurse
Talk to a mental health specialist. And stay around him, and if he starts to behave like he's going to attempt again or become a risk to himself or others call 999. It's nice to know that you are worried. Talk to people at MIND
Original post by Anonymous
Thank you, I called our GP and they're gonna call me back (soon I hope, as I want to get home to keep him company). It feels like I've only just processed that he would be dead right now if it worked as he intended. Apologies if the way forward seemed obvious, I hadn't really processed the gravity of the situation and felt paralysed, but now although I don't feel any better, I know that it's the right thing to do to contact someone, even if I feel guilty for doing it behind his back (although he'd probably understand, I just feel like I'm betraying him right now)
You have no choice but to tell - you'd feel much worse if you did nothing.
Original post by Anonymous
Thank you, I called our GP and they're gonna call me back (soon I hope, as I want to get home to keep him company). It feels like I've only just processed that he would be dead right now if it worked as he intended. Apologies if the way forward seemed obvious, I hadn't really processed the gravity of the situation and felt paralysed, but now although I don't feel any better, I know that it's the right thing to do to contact someone, even if I feel guilty for doing it behind his back (although he'd probably understand, I just feel like I'm betraying him right now)
It’s ok I know the feeling. And what you are doing is correct and the fact that you don’t know how to go ahead with this is, means that you care and are worried about him. You are not betraying him and sure he might be angry for now but later on, he’ll be happy that you’ve done this
Take him to the hospital to get checked up. (hopefully the GP will take this out of his hands) If it was paracetamol (if you know the exact drug [even if it is illegal or prescription] you should tell them that, it's unnecessarily awkward to just say "overdose" [I realised this sounded a bit abrupt, didn't mean it that way lol]) then he might not feel bad in the first day or two but may get worse over a period of days. Even if it was something else it's best to be sure.
(edited 1 year ago)
Original post by _gcx
Take him to the hospital to get checked up. (hopefully the GP will take this out of his hands) If it was paracetamol (if you know the exact drug [even if it is illegal or prescription] you should tell them that, it's unnecessarily awkward to just say "overdose" [I realised this sounded a bit abrupt, didn't mean it that way lol]) then he might not feel bad in the first day or two but may get worse over a period of days. Even if it was something else it's best to be sure.
I'll wait for the GP to call back, but I'll tell them what he took. Thanks for the advice, I'll think about taking him this evening if the GP thinks that it's a good idea
Original post by Anonymous
I'll wait for the GP to call back, but I'll tell them what he took. Thanks for the advice, I'll think about taking him this evening if the GP thinks that it's a good idea
Just keep talking to him, keep his mind busy and away from the idea of attempting again. But don't keep droning on about the attempt as well. It may make himself feel worse. If you know how is parents would react, maybe think about asking him to tell them.
I'm not put things into a slightly different perspective. It's good and kind if you to be concerned about him but try not to over pressurise yourself.
Be three for him when you can. Make it known to him that you're there to listen to him and support him. It's good you're called the gp but think it this way his trusted you and told you. Try to understand from his perspective why his told you this and the fact it's hard for him to tell you. Encourage him ty get help and support him in doing this but try and make sure his aware of what you are doing with that. There's nothing worse than u trying to help him and him being annoyed with your for getting him help without him knowing. I'm not saying don't get him help but support him in accessing this for himself or tell him your going to tell so and so because... How do you t feel??
Be three for him when you can. Make it known to him that you're there to listen to him and support him. It's good you're called the gp but think it this way his trusted you and told you. Try to understand from his perspective why his told you this and the fact it's hard for him to tell you. Encourage him ty get help and support him in doing this but try and make sure his aware of what you are doing with that. There's nothing worse than u trying to help him and him being annoyed with your for getting him help without him knowing. I'm not saying don't get him help but support him in accessing this for himself or tell him your going to tell so and so because... How do you t feel??
Hi there,
Get in touch with a suicide prevention service and explain the situation to them, and they will be able to give advice. PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide - https://www.papyrus-uk.org/aboutus/
Hope that helps!
Ivaylo
Student Ambassador
Get in touch with a suicide prevention service and explain the situation to them, and they will be able to give advice. PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide - https://www.papyrus-uk.org/aboutus/
Hope that helps!
Ivaylo
Student Ambassador
(edited 1 year ago)
