Concerned about friend being suicidal
A friend of mine has been really depressed recently and I am really worried about her. I’m wondering if there is a suicide hotline here?
Auntie’s answer: Few things could be worse than getting to a place where someone contemplates ending their life. If the unthinkable does happen, I unfortunately can say with experience that the family and friends left behind face a lifetime of “what if” and that is a truly awful burden to bear. But your friend is lucky that you recognise she may be in need of intervention.
While there is no dedicated suicide hotline yet, help is available. The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre runs a 24/7 hotline (943-2422) and there will be a caring person at the other end who is equipped to handle these types of emergency calls.
In addition, they are opening their drop-in centre 1 December at Crown Square (formerly Trinity Square) on Eastern Avenue, which will offer group and individual counselling for all ages. At the same time, the centre will be expanding their hotline service to specifically include handling suicide calls, among other emergencies.
The Family Resource Centre (Compass Centre, North Sound Road) can also help, offering crisis intervention on a walk-in basis from Monday to Friday, 12:30pm-4pm, or you can call 949-0006.
There is also The Counselling Centre (Royal Plaza on Cardinal Avenue), which offers a walk-in service Tuesday and Thursday from 12-7pm or Wednesday and Friday from 9am-1pm. You can also call 949-8789 to arrange free counselling.
If you feel the situation is critical, that your friend is talking about or planning to hurt herself, call 911 right away.
Category: Ask Auntie
Unless privacy is guaranteed, self-disclosure can be a double-edged sword in terms of suicide prevention. So drop-ins and walk-ins are out of the question. 911 is the last thing a suicidal person will call, especially here.
If one is a friend of a suicidal person, think twice before proceeding with any actions, for you may cause more harm. It must be handled professionally.
How can it be handled by a professional if no action is taken, numbnuts?