Friends for life - Suicide and Mental Health Education
back
Suicide/MH Education

Suicide and Mental Health Education -
Worried that someone you know might be considering suicide?

 

Warning Signs

  • Sudden changes in job/behaviour:
    • Extreme mood swings and emotional displays
    • Loss of interest and/or withdrawal from previously enjoyed relationships and activities
    • Rapid decline in job/academic performance
    • Lack of interest in appearance, personal care
    • Increased aggressiveness, irritability
  • Talking, joking, writing, etc. about suicide or preoccupation with death
  • Increased and/or heavy use of alcohol or drugs
  • Reckless risk taking
  • Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless
  • Apparent rapid improvement after a lengthy period of depression (they may see an end to their pain in sight)
  • Giving away prized possessions
  • Disturbed eating or sleeping habits
  • Inappropriate guilt and/or lack of self-esteem
  • Thoughts expressed:
    • "I just don't care"
    • "No one can do anything to help"
    • "It just doesn't matter anymore"
    • "You'll be better off without me"
    • "I just can't take it anymore"
  • Other concerns they may be exhibiting

How can you help?

1. Listen, Listen, Listen, Listen

Listen to the way they walk, talk, dress, spend their time, spend their money, take care of themselves . . .

When you begin a conversation by asking "What's wrong?", you may be met with a shrug or "nothing." Follow your instincts and don't give up. They will have to be convinced that you really care and will listen before exposing their true feelings to you.

Most adults are not good listeners. When it is clear that the thoughts and feelings being expressed have little or no validity, most adults will begin expressing their own views, and begin to problem-solve and give advice. This is done out of concern, and a genuine wish to have the person's emotional pain stop immediately. Unfortunately, it will end the conversation and your ability to help. The message to the troubled person is that you are totally dismissing their feelings and telling them how they ought to feel.

STOP!

Instead of offering solutions, or letting them know that they are much better off than others, just listen. Give lots of body language to show that you are listening. Ask for further explanation, clarification, examples, etc. of what they are revealing.

This delivers two critical messages:

  • I take your problems seriously.
  • I care enough to want to help.

2. Ask about suicide

Ask direct questions.

"Because I care about you, I have to ask you this question: Are you feeling so sad that you are thinking about suicide?"

This will not put the idea in their head. It will show them your willingness to listen, and that you will not be shocked should their answer be positive.

It will free them to express their feelings and reach out for help.

3. If the answer is "YES"

— Do they have a plan?

  • Have you thought how you would do it?
  • How prepared are you? (pills, gun, ammunition, etc.)
  • When do you plan to do it?

This is the first step in assessing the immediate risk. If they will not share this information, assume the plan is well detailed.

— Are they mentally prepared?

  • Have you attempted suicide before? What happened?
  • Has someone close to you attempted or completed suicide? (People with a previous attempt are 40 times more at risk than a person with no prior history.)

— Is there anyone they can turn to for support?

  • If they answer "no" they are likely feeling very alone, thus increasing the risk.

4. Get help

  • If there is any chance of immediate danger, DO NOT LEAVE THEM ALONE.
  • If the person is hallucinating, or affected by drugs or alcohol, GET HELP IMMEDIATELY.
  • STUDENTS - GET ADULT HELP immediately.
  • DO NOT agree to keep it a secret.

5. Resources

24 hour

  • Crisis Response (Page 1 in your telephone book under Community Services)
  • Kids Help Phone 1.800.668.6868
  • Farm Stress Line 1.800.667.4442
  • Hospital Emergency Department
  • HealthLine 1.877.800.0002 - 24-hour confidential health information and advice from a registered nurse. For the hearing impaired, call 1-888-425-4444 (TTY).

Local supports

    Family Physician (a "must" as a follow-up as 70-90 percent of suicides involve a mental disorder, most often Clinical Depression)

    Pastor, Priest, Minister, etc.

    Family Service Bureaus

    Mental Health Services (accessed through local Health Authorities)

    Child and Youth Services (contact through your Health Authorities)

    HealthLine Online - health information at your fingertips

     

Suicide Prevention Information

Friends for Life
306.525.5601   1.800.461.5483
Email: friends.cmha@sasktel.net