As crisis and hostage negotiators, our role is to try and influence a behavioral change in the subject to gain their voluntary compliance. We are there to resolve the immediate crisis - not their lifelong issues or problems.
Identifying what happened that day is part of being on the path to achieve that success. The following article from the Australian organization Living Is For Everyone could be helpful with respect to identifying and responding to the Tipping Point for a suicidal person (what triggered the crisis).
The point at which a person’s risk of taking their own life increases due to the occurrence of some precipitating event, such as a negative life event or an increase in symptoms of a mental disorder.
Tipping points
vary for every individual but there are some indicators of times at
which people may be under particular stress. These indicators and
tipping points can give early warning of the potential for someone
to take their own life and are referred to as triggers or precipitating
events. They include mental disorders or physical illnesses, alcohol
and/or other substance abuse, feelings of interpersonal loss or
rejection, or the experience of potentially traumatic life events
(unexpected changes in life circumstances).Tipping points can be thought of as the final straw that may lead someone who has been considering suicide to take action. Examples of events and circumstances that may act as a tipping point include:
• an argument with a loved one or significant person
• the breakdown of a relationship
• the suicide of a family member, friend or public role model
• a media report about suicide
• the onset or recurrence of a mental or physical illness
• unexpected changes in life circumstances; or
• experiencing a traumatic life event, such as abuse, bullying or violence. The diagram below shows different types of precipitating events and circumstances that are linked to the increased likelihood of (suicidal behaviour although they do not necessarily occur sequentially).
The article then offers some ways to respond to the tipping points:
- Be aware
- Don't panic
- Talk to other people who know the person
- Give the person hope (read more on each at the link below)
Access the full article [HERE].