Helping out a mate in need.
This story was told to me by one of our Mental Health First Aiders and is repeated here with his permission. Names and some details changed for confidentiality.
Greg was a member of a sports club for people who were or had experienced homelessness. Homelessness and mental illness have very strong common links.
Greg had a friend 'Tom'. In pre-season training Greg noticed that Tom was not his normal self. The things Greg noticed were:
Greg decided to visit Tom after a training that he had missed.
When Greg knocked on the door of Tom's flat, there was no answer. Greg was concerned because the neighbour told him Tom was definitely home. Greg persisted in knocking and eventually Tom came to the door but was not welcoming. Greg talked to Tom at the door telling him how concerned he was and that he wanted to help. Tom challenged Greg and said that no one cared about him. Greg said 'I'm here mate. I do care.'
Tom was sort of knocked back by Greg's statement and allowed him inside. During the following conversation Tom talked to Greg about unhelpful thinking that made him feel worthless and unloved. Greg asked Tom right out if he was considering killing himself and he said, yes. Greg worked with skills he learnt in the Mental Health First Aid course, and discovered that Tom had a plan to hang himself and also had the means and had chosen a place and time.
Tom and Greg worked together on a plan to keep Tom safe. Both Tom and Greg had done the Mental Health First Aid course as part of their sports club. They agreed on contacting the local Mental Health Team.
Tom is now well and back at football practice. He had a short stay in hospital and is working with his mental health team (Friends, GP, psychologist and Mental Health Team) to maintain his mental health.
Tom has told his sports team about what happened and told them that Greg saved his life.
Remember Mental Health is everyone's business.
