Suicide Awareness
What is suicide?
Suicide is when an individual is at a point where they are feeling extremely helpless with themselves or a situation they may be in and are contemplating/ wanting to end their life intentionally. Suicide is not subjective to who or when it may impact an individuals life. There are many people who struggle with suicidal thoughts everyday. Having the ability to recognize that this is a severely difficult place to get to and be at for a person is highly important. Suicide may be extremely intense or a passive thought that an individual might experience.
What are some symptoms that someone is suicidal?
Listed below are some signs that someone you know or yourself may be struggling with suicidal intents:
Seeing a sudden change in mood either positive or extremely negative
This can be seen through an individual who may constantly have a negative outlook or mood and then one day there is a major shift. May be a warning sign that they have decided on a plan to go through with ending one's life.
Individual suddenly/ or progressively withdrawing from an activity that brings them joy
Example of this: someone who is constantly showing up for a sport and putting in a 110% and talks about how much they enjoy said activity. Then no longer showing up or slowly stops putting in any effort to be at this activity.
Giving away items of high value to them
If an individual starts giving away things that are extremely valuable or important to them that they normally would never even consider giving to another person. This may be a sign that the individual is planning on ending their life soon
Increases in substance usage and or decreased appetite
Individual talking about death and wanting to die
This can be seen in a joking way to the individual to a more serious blaming themselves and having conversations of lost hope and worthlessness with you.
Below are some symptoms an individual may be having
Feelings of hopelessness throughout day to day
Sense of wanting or wishing to die
No longer having joy in activities
Feeling worthless
Being trapped in a situation that they may feel there is no way out of
What might put someone at a higher risk for suicide:
An individual who struggles with severe mental health or substance usage problems
Having a major negative life event happen (for example losing someone)
Having a family history of suicide or having past suicide attempts
Someone who may struggle with a life long physical illness
Lack of support socially and within family
Having the means to go through with a plan that they make
Difference between suicidal intent and suicidal ideation
When looking at someone who may be at imminent risk they are actively planning and finding ways to end their own life on top of the everyday suicidal thoughts. Suicidal ideation is defined as the thoughts range from less extreme to planning suicide. An individual who struggles with suicidal ideation may have nearly all the same symptoms and signs as someone who has suicidal intent may start to enact someone of the signs talked about earlier such as giving away prised possessions. The difference between the two terms in when an individual takes that step to make it go further and try to take their own life that turns into suicidal intent.
How can you help and what can you do?
A major thing when it comes to helping an individual with suicidal thoughts or them being suicidal is to not blame them or ask what you as family member, friend, peer support, coach or anyone in their life did wrong to make them get to this point. Another way to support is to avoid questioning the thoughts; if an individual is struggling it is hard enough questioning the thoughts or saying how could you have these will most likely make this experience and time for them much more difficult. Ways that you can support an individual listening to their reasons why they want to end their life, not judging the thoughts or behaviours that may come with someone being suicidal. Inquire if the individual has a plan and if this plan is highly accessible seeing if you are able to get rid or distance them from the means of which they may harm themselves. This could be doing something such as taking away medication if not needed in that person's room per say. Another area seeing how imminent the suicidal thoughts are and if they are in immediate danger getting them to a safe space. Find things that the individual may want to live for with them. Additionally, making a safety plan to see what they would be willing and could do when the thoughts are persistent to have distractions and deter that person from going through with it. Lastly encouraging the individual to seek help that could be starting with a call to the crisis line as a first step then seeking professional support if younger in school if that is more comfortable. Makesure they have options and you are there in a positive light not a negative light.
Resources
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/suicide
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/suicide-prevention/warning-signs.html
https://engagetherapy.com/the-difference-between-suicidal-ideation-and-suicidal-intent/