Suicide
What are the signs?
- Thinking about killing self.
- Saying “I wish I was dead”.
- Feelings of hopelessness.
- One or more previous suicide attempts.
- Death by suicide of a friend or family member.
- Sudden change in behaviour (positive or negative).
- Withdrawal from friends and activities.
- Lack of interest.
- Increase use of alcohol and other drugs.
- Unusual preoccupation with death or dying.
- Giving away valued personal possessions.
- Mood swings, emotional outbursts, high level of irritability, or aggression.
What can you do?
Individuals should be trained before assessing for suicide risk!
- Ask the person if he or she is thinking about suicide.
- Be direct - Ask if they have a concrete plan.
- Always take talk about suicide seriously.
- Really listen, without judging or challenging, or becoming angry and shocked.
- Stay with the person until other help is available.
- Talk to someone.
- Help them see hope for the future.
- Guide them to other sources of help as soon as possible, such as a parents, counselor, or other trusted adult, or community crisis phone line.
- Don’t keep the information to yourself.
If you are having an immediate mental health crisis, please click here to see a listing of mental health crisis lines and services available in Manitoba or contact Youth Crisis Stabilization Services at MacDonald Youth Services in Winnipeg.
Sources & Resources:
- Canadian Mental Health Association Manitoba. Youth and Suicide.
- Klinic Community Health Centre. Reason to Live.
- Manitoba Health. (2008, Dec). Reclaiming Hope: Manitoba’s Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy.
- Government of Manitoba. (2004). Injuries in Manitoba: A 10-year review. Retrieved Mar 26, 2012.
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Health | Education and Early Childhood Learning | Child and Youth Programs
