Has anyone sense had a sitter ask re: suicide & how did you deal w/ it?

[Rarehare]

Once I had someone ask me if they should kill themselves following the death of this woman’s husband.  She had no one else in the world and she lived in a remote place....here in the desert SW.  I told her that I wasn’t in the position to tell her that, but that I could understand her situation.  In retrospect, I realize it would’ve been wise to have rolled the cards and engaged in a dialog to see if something more might have come of it.  Also, I’ve dealt with depression, anxiety and being very sensitive, so I could empathize and I definitely couldn’t’ judge her for thinking what, in her situation, was a pretty well thought out, rational thought.

 

Has anyone else had a sitter ask about suicide before and how have you dealt with it?

[Saturn Celeste]

I have not had the experience.  I have had some other 'sad' sitters though.  I always look at the cards and try to find the root of their problem, if possible but always deal with them gently.  I suppose a tarot reader can have a 'bedside' manner like a doctor in getting people who are dealing with extreme problems to relax and listen for a possible way out of their situation.

[DanielJUK]

I remember a story on AT that someone came to a reader in a professional shop or a location and had a reading and then revealed they were on their way to do it and the reading had made them change their mind! The reader didn't know until that moment how important that reading was! It was an amazing story! They did not ask the question like what happened to you Rarehare, just what is coming up for them or something like that.

 

I am wary of readings when people ask about death, it's such a pandora's box to open! I could not answer that question like also someone asked for a reading when they were terminally ill, it's my big no go area. I think I would have maybe read for the lady (if they were not an immediate risk) but done something like "something positive coming up for them" and looked in the cards, reframe the situation they are asking about and try and give some hope!

 

I think on this, make sure you know your limits! I think it's a good idea to have some helplines / websites/ chat services you can refer people to, for suicidal people and people who are victims of sexual abuse and other areas that people need help. Local services and national because you never know who might be coming for a reading who desperately needs that help. Many areas have befriending services and that sort of thing, our role is not a social worker but emergency support lines might really help their situation.

 

 

[ilweran]

Yes, a list of helplines is good. Also knowing what to do if someone is having a mental health crisis is a good thing for all of us to know. In the UK there is Mental Health First Aid training available, definitely worth a look!