Suicide Prevention

There is a broad range of signs someone may be thinking of suicide. A helpful guide of warning signs of suicide spells IS PATH WARM:

I - Ideation: thinking about suicide
S - Substance use: problems with alcohol or other substances

P - Purposelessness: feeling like there is no purpose in life or reason for living
A - Anxiety: feeling intense anxiety or feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope
T - Trapped: feeling trapped or feeling like there is no way out of a situation
H - Hopelessness or Helplessness: feeling no hope for the future, feeling like things will never get better

W - Withdrawal: avoiding family, friends, or activities
A - Anger: feeling unreasonable anger
R - Recklessness: engaging in risky or harmful activities normally avoided
M - Mood change: a significant change in mood

Experiences with thoughts of suicide can vary from person to person and there is no clear checklist for warning signs.

Remember, thoughts of suicide can affect anyone regardless of how they present themselves or how their life appears to be from the outside.

It is most important to take thoughts of suicide seriously so support can be put in place.

Having thoughts of suicide can be difficult and scary to deal with. It's important to know you are not alone.

Talk about these experiences with your doctor, mental health care provider, or someone you trust. They can assist with learning coping skills and help connect you with the proper resources.

Other things you can do include:

• Schedule regular appointments with your care providers.
• Connect with family, friends, or a support group. It can be helpful to talk with others who have experienced thoughts of suicide to learn about their coping strategies.
• If you are in crisis and are not sure what to do, you can always contact 9-8-8 or a crisis intervention service:

Crisis Intervention Services

Do not keep these thoughts to yourself. There are people willing to help.

Create a safety plan

Some people find a safety plan useful when experiencing thoughts of suicide. A safety plan is a list of supports to guide someone if they think they are at risk of hurting themselves or ending their life. You can create a plan on your own, with a loved one, or with a mental health professional. Your plan may include:

• Your own emotional triggers and warning signs when reaching a state of suicidal crisis
• Your own personal reasons for living
• Key people to call if you are worried about your safety
• Phone numbers for local crisis intervention services
• A list of safe places to go if you do not feel safe at home
• Coping strategies that have worked for you in the past, and/or strategies you think may work.

 Safety Plan Template

If you need help now, contact 9-8-8 or a crisis intervention service. Stay with your loved one while you make the call, and do not leave until the crisis worker or emergency responder says you can leave.

The two most important things you can do to help your loved one are to:

1) listen

2) help them connect with mental health services.

If you're concerned about someone else, be direct and talk with them. Ask them if they are thinking about suicide – using the language of “suicide”.

Talking about suicide will not cause suicide. If someone is considering suicide, talking about it can provide relief, and listening is the best support anyone can give.

Here are tips for talking with a loved one:

• Find a private place to talk and let your loved one take as much time as they need.
• Take what they say seriously and be non-judgmental.
• Validate their feelings – what they are feeling is very real.
• Do not minimize the feelings expressed by the person.
• Keep your word—do not make a promise you cannot keep or don't intend to keep.
• Do not challenge or argue with the loved one – stay calm and supportive.
• Ask if there's anything you can do.
• Tell your loved one they are important, and that you care about them.

As a helper, you may experience thoughts and feelings that are uncomfortable. These feelings are normal and valid. It's okay to reach out for help.

Fact: Talking about suicide may reduce suicide ideation and prevent suicide. Talking about suicide can improve mental health outcomes and increase the likelihood of the person seeking help.

Using person-first language is another way to avoid stigmatizing suicide. It respects people’s identities and experiences, rather than labelling or grouping them.

Do say:

• Person who died by suicide
• Person thinking about suicide
• Person feeling suicidal

Avoid saying:

• Suicide victim
• Suicidal

Learn more

• Use suicide-safe language that is neutral and factual language when discussing suicide.
• Provide information about resources for help and support. Include crisis services, support groups, and mental health services.
• Include messages of support. Having messages of support in news about death by suicide can help encourage others who are thinking about suicide. Examples of supportive messages include:
  • Help is available
  • You are not alone
  • You matter
• Be inclusive and mindful of diverse populations. Remember, there is no single cause of suicide, and there is complexity in every situation.

• Using emotionally charged language that can lead to stigmatization or shame
• Glorifying suicide or presenting it in a way that will make it seem desirable to others
• Describing the details of the method of suicide. Including the details of a death by suicide can provide a guide for individuals who are thinking about suicide.

By following these guidelines, media can report on suicide in a responsible manner that promotes public awareness and support for individuals who may be thinking about suicide.