Suicide

Tinnitus and Suicide

When dealing with tinnitus patients we will at some stage come across suicidal ideation. This is not unusal and should not be something that alarms us except in very particular cases.

It is mandatory to ask this question at all tinnitus appointments. "Has the tinnitus caused you to want to harm yourself or even worse?"

There will be a variety of answers:

• Yes at the beginning but I am over that now.
• Yes but I would never take such action - I'm thinking of my family.
• Yes, sometimes I feel it's my only option
• Yes if you can't sort me out maybe
• Yes I have a plan or to similar effect

The clinician needs to know when to take emergency action and when to refer to support services.

There are three key questions we need answering by the patient

1. When do you propose to take such action?
2. Where do you propose to take such action?
3. How do you propose to take such action?

Imminent Plans

If plans are imminent (within 24 hours) and you don't feel they would be safe leaving the appointment alone then the clinician needs to take action.

If the client has a friend/partner/family member with them who escort them to A&E then tell them they need to go immediately and print out the suicide concern sheet from WriteUpp Docs, fill it in, sign it and scan it. Give the hard copy to the friend/partner/family member.

If the client is alone then the clinician needs to escort the client to A&E. Cancel other appointments and book a taxi. Do not travel in their transport or your own. You will need to stay with them until they are triaged.

Delayed plans

A number of options exist. 

• During opening hours call the client's GP and tell the receptionist that you have one of their registered patients with you who has suicidal ideation and who needs to see a GP urgently.
• Out of hours use Sheffield Health and Social Care Urgent Care which has the Samaritans contact details on.
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