Emotional support: Samaritans

Kat hit rock bottom and attempt to take her own life – with only Alfie’s timely intervention thankfully preventing a terrible fate for her. To fully understand how those struggling to cope with life reach the point where suicide appears to be the only option, Fiona Malcolm, deputy chief executive of Samaritans, takes up the story.

While clearly a very sensitive topic, when covered responsibly soaps can play an important role in raising awareness of many of the issues surrounding suicide and can encourage helpful discussion about these.

We know that if people are more aware of things like the kinds of problems that can mount up and lead a person to feeling suicidal, and the signs that may indicate a person is struggling to cope, people generally will be better informed about the risks and better equipped to look out for one another.

From time to time people call Samaritans’ helpline prompted by something they have watched on TV. For some, this can be the first step in talking about a problem they have been suffering with alone, in some cases for many years.

In Kat’s story, the traumatic childhood experience of sexual abuse is clearly an issue the character has been struggling with, alongside a number of other mounting problems. We know that this is something people can find extremely difficult to come to terms with and it is an issue many people talk to Samaritans about.

Talking can really help people see a way through their problems and it is important that we continue to encourage people to reach out for help, if they are struggling to cope. This can be done by demonstrating the value of talking, through storylines and signposting sources of support, such as Samaritans.

When a person reaches a point where they feel suicidal, they have often lost sight of being able to work through their problems. They can feel completely consumed with hopelessness and often believe those around them will be better off if they are no longer here – as Eastenders have portrayed in Kat’s story.

We know that people can feel apprehensive about how to approach a conversation with a person they think may be going through a tough time, or feeling suicidal. It can be hard to know what to say. There isn’t really a right or wrong thing to say in such situations, the best approach is simply to start that conversation. Allowing them the space to talk through how they feel, could come as a huge relief and can be a vital first step in seeking help.

Suicide is very complex and often there isn't one main reason why someone decides to take their own life. Often it is a result of problems building up to the point where they can see no other way to cope with what they are experiencing.

Some of the kinds of problems that might put certain people at risk of suicide include:

• Loss or bereavement - an actual or expected unhappy change in circumstances
• Break-up of a close relationship
• Excessive use of, or dependency on, alcohol or other drugs
• Mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety
• History of earlier suicide attempts or self-harming
• History of suicide in the family
• Painful and/or disabling physical illness

It is not always possible to identify if a person is feeling suicidal, how people behave when they are feeling very low varies from person to person. There are, however, a number of signs which may indicate a person is struggling to cope, these include:

• Lacking energy or appearing particularly tired
• Drinking, smoking or using drugs more than usual
• Finding it hard to cope with everyday things
• Not wanting to do things they usually enjoy
• Becoming withdrawn from friends and family – not wanting to talk or be with people
• Appearing more tearful
• Appearing restless, agitated, nervous, irritable
• A change in routine, such as sleeping or eating less than normal
• Putting themselves down in a serious or jokey way, for example 'Oh, no one loves me', or 'I'm a waste of space'
• Losing interest in their appearance, not liking or taking care of themselves or feeling they don't matter

If you are feeling low or are struggling to cope with life, Samaritans is here for you to listen and offer confidential support. You can get in touch with Samaritans, round the clock, every single day of the year by phone on 08457 90 90 90, email [email protected] or find the details for your local branch at www.samaritans.org.