There is no typical suicide victim. Almost everyone at some time in his or her life thinks about committing suicide. It happens to young and old, rich and poor. People having a crisis often perceive their dilemma as inescapable and feel an utter loss of control. Fortunately, there are some common warning signs which, when identified and acted upon, can save your life or the life of someone you know.

                         Warning Signs                     

  Talk about committing suicide

  Have trouble eating or sleeping

  Experience drastic changes in behavior

  Withdrawal from friends and or social activities

  Loss of interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.

  Prepare for death by making out a will and final  

    arrangements

  Give away prized possessions

  Have attempted suicide before

  Taking unnecessary risks

  Have had a recent severe loss

  A preoccupation with death and dying

  Loss of interest in their personal appearance

  Have a history of substance abuse

  May have increased use of alcohol or drugs

Prevention... How can you help? 

1) Listening...

This may be all that is needed.

2) Talking about it openly and honestly...

This gives the person time to really think about what they are saying.

3) Believing...

If someone is talking about suicide they need help in some way.

4) Staying with the person until help is available...

This person has come to you and trusts you. If the person will not let someone come to them, try to encourage the person to go with you for professional help.

5) Collecting phone numbers of helping agencies...

If you cannot convince the person to go for professional help, then make sure numbers are available to the person. You can only do what the person will let you do.

6) Talking to someone yourself...

You cannot handle this burden by yourself.

7) If someone is attempting or about to attempt...

Get help immediately. Call a Distress Centre!

8) Finding emergency numbers... 

Place emergency numbers in a convenient location.

Important facts about suicide 

1)  Suicide is not a topic people readily talk about, but increasing awareness throughout the community is making it easier.

2) Canada has a higher rate of suicide than the United States.

3) Suicide is the second leading cause of death in our Canadian youth, 14-19, and leading cause for those 25-34 years of age.

4) Canadian Mental Health Association states that because of the stigma surrounding suicide, as many as 30% of suicides are not reported.

5) For every completed suicide, there is an average of 8-10 attempts depending on age, sex, data sources, etc.

6) One in seven Canadians have seriously considered suicide.

7)  Many productive years of life are lost in our communities each year because of suicide.

8) Canadian Mental Health Association estimates that 8% of our Canadian population is affected by completed suicides and suicide attempts.

9)  Suicidal thoughts, behaviors, and attempts are usually cries for help.

10) Anyone can become depressed, but because of the stigma attached to mental health issues, people do not seek help soon enough. Without treatment, there is a substantial risk of suicide.

11) It is important to take each threat seriously, even from those who continually threaten.

12)  Suicide prevention takes teamwork. Without the support from business, helping agencies, educational institutions, churches, service group, government, etc., awareness would not be happening.

Suicide myths and facts

Myth:  People who talk about suicide rarely commit suicide and are faking to get attention. ("Ignore them.")

Fact:  Do not ignore threats.  Every depressed person requires attention and their threats are their attempt to get what they need.  When you feel that down, you're entitled to get help.

Myth:  The tendency toward suicide is inherited and passed on from one generation to another.

Fact: All types of people have committed suicide.  It is true that previous attempts, mental illness, or major life problems can put someone at higher risk.  However, we've all heard the stories about people with everything going for them who have committed suicide too.

Myth:  The suicidal person wants to die and feels there is no turning back. Nothing can be done to stop the person from making the attempt once they have made up their mind to kill themselves. ("Why stop them?  It's their decision.")

Fact:  People usually have mixed feeling about dying.  Even when life seems not worth living, death is still a frightening alternative.  But almost nobody commits suicide without letting others know how they are feeling, either directly or indirectly.  They give clues which are really cries for help.

Myth:  Once the depression lifts, the risk of suicide is over.

Fact:  Sometimes people actually seem unusually cheerful before their suicide, as if they feel relieved that they have finally made a decision.  To us it looks like the depression is over but the danger is still there.

Myth:  If you ask someone directly, "Do you feel like killing yourself?", this will lead them to make a suicide attempt.

Fact: The opposite is true.  Many people contemplate suicide at one time or another.  The suicidal person usually feels very alone with their problem.  Your willingness to talk openly will come as a great relief.  However, if you guessed wrong and they weren't contemplating suicide they'll simply tell you so.  Then you don't have to wonder anymore.

Myth:  Suicide happens without warning.

Fact:   At least 80% of people who die from suicide have given clues.

Myth:  All true suicides leave a suicide note.

Fact:  No, in fact a surprising number of people who complete suicide do not leave suicide notes. According to Canadian researcher Dr. A. Leenaars, who has extensively studied suicide notes, the percentage of those who leave notes varies from 12 to 37% percent.

Myth:  Suicide rates are higher at Christmas.

Fact:  Although it is a commonly held belief that depression and suicide rates are higher at Christmas, research does not support this notion.  Some studies have even shown a suppressing factor for Christmas and other holidays.