Who would study psychology unless they had some issues?!
Chapter 221 - 219: The First Step

Chapter 221: Chapter 219: The First Step

Previously it was mentioned that Nan Zhubin had already become a part of Li Minglu’s [social support system].

The [social support system] refers to the various forms of assistance, resources, and support an individual can obtain from their social network, having a significant impact on their mental health, life satisfaction, and stress coping ability.

Generally speaking, a person’s social support system includes "social welfare" and "community services," which are formal supports provided by the government or society, and "family," "friends," and "colleagues," which are informal supports formed by personal social networks.

The more complete and complex the social support system, the more diverse and profound help it can provide to an individual.

This is also the origin of that classic psychology joke — my friends suggest I see a psychologist, while the psychologist suggests I talk more with my friends.

The principle is actually hoping to establish a social support system and enable it to function.

And at this moment, Nan Zhubin had already become a part of Li Minglu’s social support system; furthermore, due to the weakness of Li Minglu’s own social support system, Nan Zhubin occupied a rather important part within it.

A presence that is not "family," "friends," or "colleagues," yet plays a role of equal significance.

Thus, it carries emotions that, while different in type, are equally important.

"Ouch!" In his sprint, Nan Zhubin bumped into the door frame.

When Nan Zhubin came over to look for Lin Lulin before, Li Minglu in the counseling room could already distinguish his voice; at this moment, Li Minglu could naturally also discern that the person crying out in pain was Nan Zhubin.

He immediately tightened his originally loose grip on the windowsill and instinctively turned his head.

"...Mr. Nan?"

Nan Zhubin grimaced, the pain truly sincere.

However, at this moment, Li Minglu’s attention was indeed drawn over, and he stopped his ongoing action of squeezing outward.

...

[Step one complete.]

Nan Zhubin breathed a sigh of relief internally.

Next, he faced the suicide crisis before him.

He had three choices.

First, stabilize Li Minglu’s actions through dialogue, thereby waiting for support from others to arrive.

Second, during the dialogue with Li Minglu, find an opportunity to gradually approach, and then take him away from the danger zone.

Third, through intervention dialogue with Li Minglu, activate his survival instinct, allowing him to move away from the danger zone.

It seems like these are the three possible levels of action in a suicide crisis intervention. But in fact, once one of them is chosen, the subsequent operational direction will differ greatly.

Simultaneously, the requirements for the environment, the intervenor, and the type of person being intervened also vary among these three choices.

Nan Zhubin first ruled out the third choice—activating Li Minglu’s survival instinct.

This choice seems to be the only "happy ending," but it is also the most radical and least guaranteed choice, where even a slight mistake could lead to unimaginable consequences.

As a patient with [depression], Li Minglu finds it very difficult to be motivated by the desire to survive.

After all, suicides caused by depression are often planned and well-considered rather than impulsive.

Unless it’s due to experiencing a [life-disrupting event] like "mid-life unemployment," "fraud-induced bankruptcy," or "family breakup," leading to a suicide crisis, combined with an intervention expert who is both profound and daring, saying things like "life is still long" or "think about your family," it might barely be worth trying.

—Just barely, most people would still not bet their careers on such odds.

Therefore, it is advised that ordinary people, when suddenly encountering a companion or loved one showing a tendency towards impulsive suicide, and if they are also very coincidentally in a position to say a few words, should never think about arousing the other person’s will to live and persuading them otherwise.

Because no one truly knows what exactly is driving the other person to impulsive suicide, and what you perceive as comforting and advising might be a heavy and bleeding blow to someone who is suicidal.

The correct action is to directly choose the first option and immediately gather other professionals such as 110, 119, or teachers to come and help. Then, if there’s strength left, having a cautious chat with the person to buy time is sufficient.

Meanwhile, in most cases, the third choice, which relies on stimulating the survivor’s desire to live, is a choice made when the intervenor is alone on the scene with no one else to help.

The current situation is far from that severe.

...

After thinking it through, Nan Zhubin decided to proceed mainly with the first option while also implementing the second.

This was a well-thought-out choice.

Firstly, they were at the office building of the Psychology College, an area with a certain flow of people, allowing them to obtain outside help immediately; at the same time, although Lin Lulin and the others have questionable character, they absolutely have contingent plans for the current situation.

As long as Li Minglu is temporarily stabilized, then shortly, other help will certainly intervene to resolve the current situation.

And if the situation allows, when resources are available, Nan Zhubin could attempt to pull Li Minglu down early, utilizing their existing counseling relationship.

If it’s not feasible, then caution takes precedence; even with Nan Zhubin’s abilities, he can only attempt to delay time and then await the intervention of more professional rescue measures.

Thinking this way.

While rubbing his newly injured shoulder, Nan Zhubin seized the moment when Li Minglu was in a daze to stagger towards the sofa nearest to him.

He observed Li Minglu’s condition, showing a somewhat surprised expression. Then he stopped his hand rubbing the shoulder and pointed to his own forehead.

"It seems like your forehead is bleeding, doesn’t it hurt?"

"I don’t feel it." Li Minglu’s body showed no signs of change. He hesitated for a moment and then spoke slowly, "Are you okay?"

Nan Zhubin shrugged, neither saying "yes" nor "no."

Suicide from depression is apathetic suicide, well considered suicide.

Before making the decision, they’ve thought all the possible problems, concerns, and connections through their predicament, sealing them off and remaining undisturbed.

Thus, stopping their own thinking and focusing all attention on the act of "suicide."

What Nan Zhubin is doing now is temporarily using his shoulder as a price to try to create an incident requiring Li Minglu to think.

No matter if he answers "yes" or "no," it would mean the end of the matter, which is obviously not acceptable.

Nan Zhubin changes the subject, continuing to point to his forehead: "You can’t feel it?"

Then sighs: "It’s as I thought. Previously, a few visiting friends I met also started not fearing pain when they reached your current state."