I Think My Friend Needs Help

Have you noticed the following in a friend or family member?

Makes statements like

Other people that visited the help pages,
also visited Coping Tools

I Think My Friend Needs Help

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"I want to die”, "things would be better without me”,
"It will soon be over”, "They will be sorry when I’m not here”,
"I want to go to sleep and never wake up”

Appears to feel

sad, helpless, hopeless, worthless, guilty, shame, exhausted, angry, confused, irritable, and withdrawn

Behaving differently like

isolating him/herself, giving away prized possessions, partying more, using substances more than usual or having unsafe sex, difficulty making decisions, not eating, overeating, not sleeping or oversleeping.

If you’ve noticed these types of changes, ask them if they are thinking about killing themselves.

TALK TO THEM…

Talking about suicide won’t make them kill themselves. People who talk about suicide or try it, do not want to die they just want to escape the pain and cannot find another way.

By talking with them you can find a way to lessen their pain. Do not keep threats of suicide a secret even if they want you to. Talking to someone else does not make you a rat or disloyal. Ask yourself…would you rather have a friend that is angry with you or a dead friend that you could never have a relationship with again?

help
"Calling gave me a chance to talk
about what was bugging me
without the fear of being judged."
- Lyndsey,19

If your friend or family member believes

that they are losing control over their emotions
that they have no one to talk to
that their everyday routine is impossible to sustain
that they are starting to think about hurting themselves
that they have a plan to hurt themselves and the means to carry it out

Get help immediately or tell someone!

You could:

Call 911 (or your local emergency response team)

You can tell:

a parent
a relative
family doctor
teacher, counsellor, social worker
anyone you can trust to help
public health nurse

Here is a list of resources to get you started.

Canada

CRISIS

·         Find your local crisis center by looking in the front of your phonebook
·         Find help in your community at ementalhealth.ca
·         Visit the Canadian Mental Health Association website, where you can pick your province on the map and find local
          resources
·         To speak to a counsellor at Kids Help Phone call 1-800-668-6868 or visit them online at www.kidshelpphone.ca

ONTARIO

·         If you live in Ontario, find services for drug and alcohol, gambling or mental health issues at ConnexOntario
·         Chat online with a Mental Health Helpline Information and Referral Specialist here
·         Distress Centres Ontario
·         www.211Ontario.ca
·         Ontario Association of Social Workers (416) 923-4848
·         Find A Social Worker in Ontario
·         Find a family doctor at The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

TALK TO SOMEONE
If you are not in crisis or an emergency but you would like to talk to someone, find a counselor or a therapist:

·         Visit the Canadian Mental Health Association website, where you can pick your province on the map and find local
          resources
·         To speak to a counsellor at Kids Help Phone call 1-800-668-6868 or visit them online at www.kidshelpphone.ca
·         To find a counsellor or a therapist in Canada or the US visit Web MD by Psychology Today
·         If you are in school, you can also speak to a Counsellor, Public Health Nurse or staff at Student Health Services for
          additional support.

United States

CRISIS

·         Find your local crisis center by looking in the front of your phonebook
·         Visit or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and you will be directed to the crisis center
          closest to you
·         Visit or call the National Hopeline 1-800-SUICIDE (1.800.784.2433)
·         The Trevor Project provides crisis and suicide support for LGBTQ youth. 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386)

TALK TO SOMEONE
If you are not in crisis or an emergency but you would like to talk to someone, find a counselor or a therapist or learn more about your mental health:

·         To find a counsellor or a therapist in Canada or the US visit Web MD by Psychology Today
·         If you are in school, you can also speak to a Counsellor, Public Health Nurse or staff at Student Health Services for
          additional
          support.

Outside North America

·         Visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention
·         If you are in school you can speak to a counselor, public health nurse, or staff at student health services for additional
          support

Reach out… get help… give help!