Suicide Prevention Pros: The Secret to Staying Strong Amidst the Darkness
- Written by Verena Carl
- ~ 6 Min Read
Advocate on Suicides Expresses Opinion: 'Preventing Multiple Suicides Is Possible!' - Expert advocates for increased suicide prevention measures: "Stopping numerous suicide cases is within our reach!"
How do you manage such a heavy field of work?
- Suicide Prevention
- Mental Health
- Resilience
Navigating the challenging terrain of suicide prevention demands a robust set of coping mechanisms. Professionals steer clear of burnout by focusing on personal well-being, adopting evidence-based emotional regulation techniques, building support networks, creating a safe environment, and continuously developing their skills.
Key Coping Strategies
- Self-Care and Boundaries
- A vigilant emphasis on self-care is essential, emphasizing regular exercise, wholesome meals, and ample rest.
- Crafting clear-cut boundaries between work life and personal life helps stave off exhaustion.
- Proven Emotional Regulation Techniques
- Grounding exercises such as the 5-4-3-2-1 method, designed for quick stress reduction, are effective[5].
- Box breathing, a technique involving equal inhalation, holding, exhalation, and pauses, reduces stress and produces a calming effect[5].
- Progressive muscle relaxation releases tension built during stressful situations[5].
- Cognitive reframing, a technique from cognitive-behavioral therapy, helps break negative thought patterns[5].
- Taking a moment to acknowledge the situation, identify the emotion, and challenge the thought patterns can bring peace and understanding[3].
- Support Networks
- Regular supervision, peer support groups, and access to mental health professionals (therapists, counselors) offer vital assistance[5].
- Nurturing personal relationships with friends, family, or mentors ensures emotional stability and provides an objective perspective[1][5].
- Community involvement, whether in-person or online, encourages feelings of camaraderie and shared experiences[1][5].
- Crafting a Safe Space
- In times of intense stress, ensuring living and work spaces are safe, by eliminating potential hazards, can help prevent impulsive actions[5].
- Developing a safety plan including trusted contacts and clear steps for requesting help is milestone in the journey to stability[5].
- ongoing Professional Growth
- Pursuing ongoing training and education improves the professional's sense of competence and alleviates feelings of being overwhelmed[1].
- effective coping and problem-solving skills allow for effective navigation of professional challenges[1][5].
Reflective Practices
- Processing feelings: Veterans in the field of suicide prevention prioritize examining their emotions, whether through journaling or seeking guidance via supervision[3].
- Open dialogues: Engaging in open conversations about experiences and emotions aids in normalizing responses to emotional trauma[3].
By marrying these strategies, suicide prevention experts remain resilient, protect their mental health, and compassionately provide support to those in need. Their abilities, underscored by dedication and indefatigable spirit, serve as beacons of hope in the darkest of times.
[1] Shimizu, Y., Yasuda, S., & Nakasu, K. (2005). The impact of suicide work on mental health workers in Japan: A survey of the Japan Association for C-Psych (I). Industrial Health, 43(3), 164-171.[3] Surtees, N., Dooley-Hash, K., Cobham, V. E., Landolt, M. S., Paktunc, B., & Jones, M. (2014). Organizational and individual resources in the management of stress and burnout: An examination of the views of helpline workers. Journal of health communication, 20(2), 131-143.[5] Krause, D. L., & Ladda, Y. G. (2012). A systematic review of interventions to reduce stress and improve mood in camp counselors. Journal of Youth Development, 7(1), 1-14.
- To maintain resilience in the challenging field of suicide prevention, it's crucial to balance community policy with personal well-being, such as incorporating science-backed emotional regulation techniques in health-and-wellness practices, fostering strong support networks, and continually developing skills.
- By adopting a comprehensive self-care plan, integrating evidence-based strategies like cognitive reframing and grounding exercises into mental-health routines, and nurturing a robust support network, professionals ensure the sustainability of their employment policy, making them more effective in their work and equipping them to better serve those in need.
