Suicide impacts everyone. We often think that it won’t happen to someone we know, and definitely not to ourselves. We need to pay attention to the fact that anyone could be at risk of suicide. Even someone close to us. We all struggle and have moments of pain but how do we know when someone is in so much pain they see suicide as the only way to end that pain? We need to look for the signs that someone could be thinking about suicide and ask. These signs could include loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, moodiness, loss of hope — believing nothing will ever get better, feeling like a burden — believing everyone would be better off without them, increased drug or alcohol use, giving away prized possessions, and/or withdrawal from family and friends.
Pay attention also to current life challenges the person may be going through. Sometimes we think what someone is going through is not a major issue and we dismiss it. When someone has a breakup or a pet dies we don’t see these problems as big enough to lead a person to thinking of suicide but this is not true. A break-up or death of a pet could be enough to lead to suicide. Pay attention to these events in a person’s life and ask them what these life events mean to them.
These are just a few of the common signs. However, the challenge in recognizing the signs is that everyone is individual. How people show signs they are in distress varies from person to person. Some signs are even so vague we may miss them. Some people, instead of withdrawing from families and friends, plan vacations with their families so they can have one last trip together. Some try to hide what they are feeling by pretending to be happy when around other people.
Really the most important way to recognize these signs is to pay attention to any changes in their behaviour. If someone you know is acting differently it would be important to find out why. Suicide might just be involved. As well, another important thing to remember is trust your gut instinct. If your gut is telling you something isn’t quite right here, you are probably right.
Once you recognize the signs, ask the person openly and directly “Are you thinking about suicide?” or “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” If the person says they are thinking of suicide, listen, really listen. Then connect them with someone who can help further. This may include: family, distress line, a counsellor, family doctor, or the emergency department of the hospital. If it’s an emergency and/or they are not willing to get help, call 911.
Monday, Sept. 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. “Working Together to Prevent Suicide” is the theme that the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) chose for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD).
Recognizing those in your life who may be having thoughts of suicide is one of the ways we can all work together to prevent suicide. According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention, you can also raise awareness about the issue, educate yourself and others about the causes of suicide and warning signs, question the stigma associated with suicide, suicidal behaviour and mental health problems, and share your own experiences. It takes work to prevent suicide.
Another part of working together to prevent suicide involves participating in World Suicide Prevention Day activities in your community. In our community, the Regional Suicide Prevention Council (RSPC) is partnering with Monsters’ Ink to provide semi-colon tattoos. You can find out more about Project Semi-Colon at projectsemicolon.com. We are also partnering with various local coffee shops to hand out WSPD coffee sleeves. To find out more about these World Suicide Prevention Day activities check out the RSPC Facebook site at facebook.com/rspc.aser/ for details. For more information on scheduled World Suicide Prevention Awareness events happening across Canada visit CASP’s website at suicideprevention.ca.
If you have lost someone to suicide, check out our Hope & Healing Support Group. The next group runs Sept. 25-Nov. 20, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Tuesday. To register call the number below.
Erin Reeder is the suicide prevention program coordinator of Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta Southeast Region and can be reached at 403-504-1811.
