Trigger warning - witnessing a suicide

[Beachgirl28]

Hi guys.
So unfortunately 2 days ago while on my lunch break I watched a man take his life. I was one of the first to call 000, and unfortunately had some pretty tough questions and information to provide. The paramedics mentioned what I provided came up on their computer and was a big help.

I know it’s only been 2 days, but I can’t get it out of my head, I’ve been having nightmares and every time I close my eyes I see the mans face.
I am currently on anti depressants already (for a few months now), but they aren’t designed to help with this stuff.
My usual GP is away, but planning on seeing another one tomorrow. And have taken this week off work.

just wondering if someone has gone through something similar, and has any coping mechanisms?
thanks

[Sophie_M]

Hi Beachgirl28,

Welcome to the forums. we are so glad that you've taken a big step in sharing your thoughts and feelings here with our wonderful community.

We are so incredibly sorry to hear that you were witness to such a tradgey occur and we understand how distressing this must have been. We are glad to hear that you are reaching out for support and putting things in place to look after yourself during this tough time.

If you feel it may be helpful, we would recommend that you get in contact with the Beyond Blue Support Service. They are available 24/7 by phone on 1300 22 4636 or on Webchat 1pm-12am AEST on our website: www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport  One of our friendly counsellors will be able to talk through these feelings with you and can offer support, advice and referrals. 

Please know that you've come to a safe, non-judgemental space to talk things through and our community is here to offer as much support, advice and conversation as you need.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Beachgirl28,

Welcome to the forums and thank you for joining us.

I'm also really sorry to hear about what happened, for both you and them. Suicide has such a ripple effect and I can only imagine how hard that was to watch.

While this hasn't been something I've experienced, please know that everything that you're feeling is totally normal. I'd really like to recommend a resource for you to check out while you wait for the GP and hopefully you'll find it helpful. It's called StandBy, created to help people just like yourself, with free support and counselling both telephone and face to face. There's also a few clips on the site from those with lived experience too. They also have resources you can download on things like self-care, sleeping and grief.

https://standbysupport.com.au/#Support

I hope you find that it helps, and do take care of yourself during this time, whether that's eating/sleeping (we forget the basics sometimes), or finding and doing things that you enjoy.

rt

[Aaronsis]

Hi Beachgirl28

I am so beyond sorry that you were witness to such an emotional event. I have no idea how that must of felt and how traumatic the reliving it is for you. I wanted to come and offer my support to you through this time as it is very important that you take care of yourself after seeing such a thing.

I am glad that you have taken some time off work and that also you have made an appointment with a GP. Right now is the time to take care of you and to do what you need to do to feel comfort and to help ease the trauma of what you have seen. There are a few things that I have done in the past that really help me when I feel so bad and writing has been one of them. I started a journal where I could be as raw and honest as I needed to be and to get rid of some of the emotion and built up thoughts. I am not sure if you think this is something that might help you but to purge is sometimes so very cleansing and did give me some sense of peace.

I am hopeful that one of the members here will be able to share some things that they do to manage trauma and how things like getting to sleep when you are fearful of what you will dream or more accurately, have nightmares about this event. To share how they are coping with life after a traumatic event and how to take care of you.

Once again I am so very very sorry that you did witness this, no words to really describe it.

We are here for you, even if just to listen and to sit with you to know you are not alone and that we care very much.

Hugs to you
Sarah