Listening: A resident expressing suicidal thoughts
Lesson 3 of 5 in Mental Health First Aid for PSWs · 22 minutes
Listen to a 5-minute exchange between a PSW and a resident who's expressing thoughts of ending her life. The PSW uses ALGEE — calm approach, real listening, genuine reassurance, and clear escalation.
What you'll learn
- Hear ALGEE applied in real time
- Recognize the language patterns of skilled listening
- See the moment of escalation and how to handle it
- Understand what makes the resident feel heard
From the transcript
Aisha: Hi Margaret. I brought your tea. How are you doing today?
Margaret: Oh, dear. I don't know. Tired.
Aisha: Tired in your body, or tired in a different way?
Margaret: Both, I suppose. I just... I'm so tired of being here without him. It's been three months and it doesn't get easier. Some days I wonder if it would be easier just not to wake up.
Aisha: That sounds so heavy. Three months of feeling that way.
Margaret: Everyone keeps telling me it'll get better. My daughter says give it time. But the time just keeps going by, and I'm still alone.
Aisha: Margaret, I want to ask you something directly. When you say it would be easier not to wake up — are you having thoughts of ending your life?
Marg…