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Table 5 Items showing large and consistent differences between panelsa

From: Cross-cultural generalizability of suicide first aid actions: an analysis of agreement across expert consensus studies from a range of countries and cultures

English-speaking professional panel

 

More likely to endorse:

 

 • The first aider should be aware that if a person is not suicidal, asking them cannot put the idea of suicide in their head.

 

 • The first aider should not discuss with the person whether suicide is right or wrong.

 

Less likely to endorse:

 

 • If the first aider clearly states that thoughts of suicide may be associated with a treatable disorder, this may instil a sense of hope for the suicidal person.

 

 • The first aider should remind the suicidal person that they are loved and would be missed.

 

 • By discussing specific problems, the first aider can help the person work out ways of dealing with the difficulties that seem insurmountable.

 

English-speaking consumer panel

 

More likely to endorse:

 

 • The first aider should be aware that if a person is not suicidal, asking them cannot put the idea of suicide in their head.

 

 • The first aider should not discuss with the person whether suicide is right or wrong.

 

Less likely to endorse:

 

 • If the first aider clearly states that thoughts of suicide may be associated with a treatable disorder, this may instil a sense of hope for the suicidal person.

 

 • By discussing specific problems, the first aider can help the person work out ways of dealing with the difficulties that seem insurmountable.

 

Philippines panel

 

More likely to endorse:

 

 • If the person is using drugs or alcohol, the first aider may not be able to believe them if they say they are not suicidal.

 

 • The first aider should ask the suicidal person if they have ever known anyone who has died by suicide.

 

 • The first aider does not need to be with the suicidal person all the time, but should check on them regularly.

 

 • If the person is suicidal, the first aider should call a doctor, psychiatrist or other professional right away for the suicidal person.

 

 • If the suicidal person has a weapon, the first aider should try to take it away from them.

 

 • The fact that the suicidal person is still alive, and talking to the first aider about their feelings, means that they are not quite sure about suicide. The first aider should point this out as a positive thing.

 

 • By discussing specific problems, the first aider can help the person work out ways of dealing with the difficulties that seem insurmountable.

 

 • If the suicidal person agrees to hand over the means of suicide, on the condition that they can have them back if they want them, the first aider should agree to this.

 

India panel

 

More likely to endorse:

 

 • If the first aider clearly states that thoughts of suicide may be associated with a treatable disorder, this may instil a sense of hope for the suicidal person.

 

 • The first aider should reassure the suicidal person that they understand how badly they feel.

 

 • By discussing specific problems, the first aider can help the person work out ways of dealing with the difficulties that seem insurmountable.

 

 • If the suicidal person agrees to hand over the means of suicide, on the condition that they can have them back if they want them, the first aider should agree to this.

 

Sri Lanka panel

 

More likely to endorse:

 

 • If the first aider clearly states that thoughts of suicide may be associated with a treatable disorder, this may instil a sense of hope for the suicidal person.

 

 • The first aider should ask the suicidal person if they have ever known anyone who has died by suicide.

 

 • The first aider should reassure the suicidal person that they understand how badly they feel.

 

 • By discussing specific problems, the first aider can help the person work out ways of dealing with the difficulties that seem insurmountable.

 

 • The first aider should encourage the suicidal person to consider the consequences of suiciding, especially the effect it may have on the people they care about.

 

Japan panel

 

Less likely to endorse:

 

 • The first aider should establish whether the person has definite plans and intentions to take their life as opposed to vague suicidal notions such as “what’s the point?” or “I can’t be bothered going on.”

 

 • If the suicidal person is psychotic, the first aider should: Call a doctor, psychiatrist or other professional right away for the suicidal person.

 

 • The first aider should remind the suicidal person that suicidal thoughts need not be acted on.

 

 • The first aider should not discuss with the person whether suicide is right or wrong.

 

 • The first aider should encourage the suicidal person to do most of the talking.

 

 • The first aider should discuss the ‘good things’ in a person’s life, their hopes for the future, and other reasons to live.

 

 • The first aider should encourage the suicidal person to think about their personal strengths and the positive things in their life.

 

 • By discussing specific problems, the first aider can help the person work out ways of dealing with the difficulties that seem insurmountable.

 

Immigrant & refugee professional panel

 

More likely to endorse:

 

 • The first aider should be aware that if a person is not suicidal, asking them cannot put the idea of suicide in their head.

 

 • By discussing specific problems, the first aider can help the person work out ways of dealing with the difficulties that seem insurmountable.

 

Immigrant & refugee consumer panel

 

More likely to endorse:

 

 • By discussing specific problems, the first aider can help the person work out ways of dealing with the difficulties that seem insurmountable.

 
  1. aItems endorsed by one panel (80%+) but with three or more other panels showing large differences (30%+)