The most important steps in a suicide attempt are to call for medical help, immediately calling 192, and to check whether the victim is breathing and whether the heart is beating.
If the person is unconscious and does not appear to be breathing, it is important to perform cardiac massage to improve the chances of survival until medical help arrives. See how to do cardiac massage.
What to do after the attempt
There are some specific precautions that must be followed depending on the type of suicide attempt, such as:
- Cut pulses: pressure should be applied to the wrists with clothes, clean cloths or another type of fabric to stop the bleeding until the ambulance arrives;
- Is left over: It is advised not to touch the victim, as the spine may have been fractured, which could lead to consequences such as paralysis. However, if there is bleeding, compression can be applied to the area to try to stop the bleeding;
- Ingestion of poison, medicine or drugs: one should try to find the type of substance ingested, and sleeping pills, such as Rivotril and Xanax, are generally the most used. Afterwards, you can call the poison control center listed on the packaging to receive further guidance;
- Hanging: If the person is still moving and breathing, you should lift them or place a chair, piece of furniture or a tall object under their feet;
- Drowning: remove the person from the water, lay them on their back and begin cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until medical help arrives;
- Fire gun: apply pressure to the gunshot site with clean cloths, clothing or another type of fabric to reduce bleeding until the ambulance arrives.
Suicide attempts are usually related to a case of untreated depression, and often happen more than once, so it is important that the person is accompanied by a psychologist or psychiatrist, so that they regain the will to live. .
How to know if there is a risk of suicide
Before a suicide attempt, a person may leave some clues about what they intend to do and, therefore, it is important to pay attention to what they say or the messages they leave written, especially if they already have a confirmed diagnosis of depression.
In cases where it is considered that there may be a risk of suicide, it is important to never leave the person alone and whenever possible help with treatment, participating in psychotherapy sessions and following the guidance given by the psychologist. Furthermore, if possible, it should also be observed whether the person is taking the correct medication, in accordance with the therapeutic plan indicated by the psychiatrist.
Find out more about how to identify suicidal behavior and how to deal with it.
