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Dealing with suicidal thoughts? Okanagan professionals weigh in

Lake Country Calendar - 5/10/2019


A lively discussion recently took place on the Vernon Community forum on Facebook when an individual posed the following question: "If someone is feeling suicidal and needs to be admitted into 72-hour watch, can they just walk into the hospital and ask for help, or would they even be taken seriously, and just sent home? Had that experience a few times now. Don't know where to turn."


In speaking with local professionals, we now have some answers.

"There are several things we're doing to work towards a suicide-safer community," said Paula Guidi, program coordinator for the CMHA Crisis Line. "We have suicide education that empowers and encourages people in the community to help when there's a crisis and we work to reduce stigma and shame around suicide because we want to open up conversations."



"I think the education piece is probably one of the most important pieces and then after that, because everyone can follow a plan, it's making sure you know when to initiate the safety plan, when to to call 9-1-1 or the RCMP or whoever else that may be," said Naaz Grewal, CMHA community educator.


"Our job is just keeping people safe. We don't diagnose things or try to help people solve their problems,. We just want to make sure that they're in the right hands," said Brett.


"People just need to be validated in these feelings," he said, noting each case is different. "A number of assessments take place to determine how to best serve the individual."




"We don't manage everyone who is suicidal in hospital necessarily."


Carey added in cases where an individual is discharged, there would be an automatic referral to the community and the front line person through the Mental Health Centre would reach out via phone within 72 hours to check on how they're doing, if ongoing or additional support is needed.

"It's an evolving plan that changes on the fly, so we can continue to meet that person's needs and supply them with the best course of treatment to keep them safe," he said.





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