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Suicide Awareness
Suicide affects us all. These tips are about suicide awareness and explore suicide prevention resources in Canada.
Suicide is a hard subject to talk about, but speaking about it openly helps. If you are concerned that someone you know may be suicidal, take action & check in. Learn more about what to say at Beyond Blue.
It can feel scary to acknowledge when someone we care about has begun to show signs of suicide or expresses feeling suicidal. Talking about it with them, listening to how they're feeling, and being present with them goes a long way in terms of suicide prevention.
If your loved one disclosed they're feeling suicidal, ask them whether they have a plan & if they have the means to act on this plan. This can let you know how at risk they are. Keep them company until they are feeling less committed to their plan.
Be Safe by mindyourmind is our free crisis & safety planning app. Sit down with someone you trust & fill in your own safety plan. By completing it in advance, you'll feel better prepared for moments of crisis. Download Be Safe today.
Check out Talk Suicide Canada to learn more about this Canadian suicide prevention service!
Centre for Suicide Prevention is a great site to have saved in your search bar. They cover topics like intervention, prevention, postvention and highlights other helpful resources for you.
When you have been impacted by suicide, it's important to take time to feel all your emotions as they come. Make time to cry. Make time to talk to someone about your feelings. Remind yourself that you did enough to help your loved one. Join a support group or journal.
If you've been supporting a person who's suicidal, plan time to talk to someone about how it's been impacting you. It's not wrong to have mixed feelings about supporting them, what's important is that YOU have someone who supports you. We ALL need someone to talk to.
Listening is one of our best skills to use when supporting someone who is at risk of suicide. But listening instead of talking can be hard to do. Remember to breathe as you listen; nodding your head & making sounds of acknowledgment are sometimes all that are needed too.
September 10th is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. 2021's theme is creating hope through action. Together let's honour the lives lost to suicide and work to prevent future suicides in our communities. With action, hope and healing are possible.
Looking for suicide prevention information? Explore the Mental Health Commission of Canada's collection of suicide prevention resources.
If you are supporting someone who is experiencing thoughts of suicide make sure to practice self care, establish boundaries, and reach out to your own support network. For you to be able to take care of them, you need to take care of yourself first.
Feel better equipped to tackle crisis situations with Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) or safeTALK. Being knowledgeable and prepared can help you to save a life. Sign up today at LivingWorks.
This is your sign to stay. Better days are ahead and you should be here to see them. You matter and we are so glad you exist.
Losing someone to suicide is a traumatic and complex loss. As alone as you might feel right now, you don't have to tackle this on your own. Help is out there in many forms, whether through a support group or individual grief counselling. So please reach out.
What's the difference between suicide and self harm? Read our blog series Suicide & Self Harm.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve after losing a loved one to suicide. Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions arise and remember that this is not your fault.
Experiencing thoughts of suicide can be scary, confusing, and isolating, but you don't have to suffer in silence. Help and hope is out there. Learn what steps to take to get help in our Help section, I Need to Talk to Someone.
When a loved one dies by suicide, talk about them, say their name out loud, share memories of them, plant a tree or light a candle in their honour, play a movie/song they liked, or cook their favourite meal. Whatever you do, honour them in a way that makes sense for you.
The London Middlesex Suicide Prevention Council works to raise suicide awareness, deliver trainings & other prevention efforts, support those bereaved by suicide loss, & reduce stigma in the London Middlesex community.
It can be hard sharing that you are having thoughts of suicide. Writing it out first may help you feel more comfortable sharing with someone you trust. Try this tool, Writing a Letter, from Kids Help Phone.
Sometimes a person may indirectly express that they are having thoughts of suicide. If you are comfortable, it's okay to reconfirm by asking directly. Sometimes someone might try to reach out but are unable to use the right words.
Check in on loved ones that seem to be distant or disengaged and ask how they are doing.
Losing a loved one to suicide comes with many emotions. Take your time to process everything, reach out for support, and remember to take care of yourself.
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide and you want to talk to someone but aren't comfortable sharing with a loved one yet, you can reach out to a phone or text line such as Kids Help Phone.
When someone who has been having thoughts of suicide reaches out to you, remember to validate their feelings and show empathy, rather than giving advice. Often times they just want to feel heard.
Someone who is having thoughts of suicide might express feeling hopeless, trapped, and tired. Listen for these potential code words.
Sometimes the simplest way to support a loved one who is having thoughts of suicide is to sit with them.
Take time to learn about the signs and signals of suicide. It can help you identify and reach out to someone who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide.
It's understandable to not know what to say or do when a loved one reaches out for help. Simply asking "What can we do to help you feel a bit better?" is a great first start.
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