Ontario Association for Suicide Prevention Inc.

Information

Some suicides (20%) occur without any warning and others occur despite the very caring responses of friends, family and helping professionals You cannot take responsibility for another person’s life – the decision is his or her own – you may, however, be able to help the person see other ways of dealing with his or her problems and pain. Suicide is ultimately a personal choice – it is not our job to ’save’ someone else’s life, only to offer them other options.

Why Is There A Need For The Ontario Association For Suicide Prevention?

Suicide occurs across all ages, economic, social and ethnic boundaries.

Official statistics show that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in Ontario with more than 1000 Ontarians killing themselves every year. The true figure is probably much higher. The number of non-fatal suicide attempts is considerably greater, often resulting in serious injuries, trauma to families and friends, and economic loss to our society.

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 15-, and is the 11th leading cause of death overall.

Surviving family members not only suffer the trauma of losing a loved one to suicide, but are themselves at potentially higher risk of suicide and emotional problems.

Most suicidal persons give definite warnings of their suicidal thoughts, but those closest to them are either unaware of the significance of these warning or do not know how to respond to them.

Understanding and Recognizing Suicidal People

Research indicates that for most suicidal people, suicidal ideation is characterized by ambivalence – they have both a wish to live and a wish to die. When experiencing a suicidal crisis, ending their own life can seem as the only available option for getting beyond an unbearable state of anguish: were other viable options made available, most would choose to live.

Research also indicates that 70 to 80% of suicidal people signal their suicidal ideation through the expression of various recognizable warning signs, such as publicly making preparations for their death; expressing thoughts about suicide, death, and dying; and behaving in ways that are uncharacteristic and/or worrisome. It also seems clear the vast majority of people who seriously contemplate suicide are experiencing treatable mental illnesses such as depression, manic-depression, anxiety, psychosis, and drug/alcohol addiction.

What is also common to most acutely suicidal individuals is a recent experience of great loss. This loss may be an existing or pending change for the worse. The loss could also be the loss of hope that things will improve in their future. What appears to be more important than the nature of the loss is the individual’s experience of it as overwhelming or unbearable.

Some Significant Losses To Look For

Death of a loved one, especially by suicide

A key relationship unraveling or ending

Instability/turmoil at home/in one’s family

	Death of a loved one, especially by suicide
	A key relationship unraveling or ending
	Instability/turmoil at home/in one’s family
	A severe change in social status or sense of belonging
	Unemployment, loss of a highly valued ability or activity
	Fear of disciplinary action/incarceration/physical violence
	Trauma from sexual or other assault
	Trauma from serious illness or injury
	Major financial/economic loss

If the person is unable to cope with the loss, they may experience an emotional crisis. Most emotional crises are characterized by noticeable changes in behaviour, perceptions, feelings, and the physical body. When you see someone change in any significant way on the ‘outside’, it is a good idea to inquire about their wellbeing – it may be an opportunity to initiate a suicide intervention.

Discover if they are, or have been contemplating suicide. Let them know that help is available, there are supportive and skilled people to call or see in person, and professionally trained people who can help them make viable choices other than suicide. If you believe they are at risk of harming themselves and/or someone else, please do not leave them until they are with another trustworthy adult.

Some Attitudes To Look For

Depression: Nothing seems important anymore. Life’s a bad joke.

Hopelessness/helplessness: There is nothing I can do to change this.

Purposelessness: There is nothing to live for; there is no point to anything.

	Worthlessness: I can’t do anything right. No one cares if I live or die.
	Overwhelmed: I can’t stand this anymore. This is way too much for me.
	Intense worry/anxiety: Everything is falling apart. Everyone is going to be disappointed in me.
	Recklessness/impulsiveness: I don’t care if I break my neck.
	Elation: Everything is perfect now! (suddenly, after someone has been in a lot of distress)

Some Behaviours To Watch For

Increased use of drugs or alcohol

Withdrawal/isolation from once enjoyable people/activities

Risky impulsive activities

	Aggressive, violent behaviour; rage/revengeful acts
	Decreased or increased performance (school, work, hobbies, sports)
	Self-neglect (appearance or hygiene)
	Extreme mood swings
	Changes in energy level (up or down)
	Complaints about health
	Difficulty concentrating
	Decreased, increased or otherwise disturbed eating and/or sleeping

Additional Indicators Strongly Associated With Suicidal Behaviour

Preparation for Death

Giving away prized possessions, making a will, settling loose ends

Saying goodbye or talking about going away unexpectedly, or with a sense of finality

2.	Talking about suicide, death or dying
		Saying things such as ‘Life isn’t worth it…’ or ‘Things would be better if I was gone…’
		Making jokes, poems, drawings or other references to suicide, death or dying
		Sharing/expressing morbid fantasy or plans about dying or death
3.	Previous unresolved or recent suicide attempt

A person in acute risk for suicidal behaviour most often will show:

	Threatening to hurt or kill him or herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself; and/or,
	Looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means; and/or,
	Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary.

Additional Warning Signs

	Increased substance (alcohol or drug) use
	No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life
	Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
	Feeling trapped - like there’s no way out
	Hopelessness
	Withdrawal from friends, family and society
	Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
	Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
	Dramatic mood changes

These might be remembered as expressed or communicated ideation. If observed, seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or calling 911. DO NOT LEAVE PERSON ALONE.

Suicide Facts & Myths

1. Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.

Talking about suicide does not create or increase risk. The best way to identify the intention of suicide is to ask directly.

Open talk and genuine concern is a source of release, and one of the key elements in preventing the immediate risk of suicide.

2. A person who attempts suicide is only looking for attention.

For some, these behaviours are serious invitations to others to help them live. If help is not available, they may feel it will never come.

Ignoring suicidal thoughts or actions can be dangerous.

Help with problems and help in finding others to show need is more likely to be effective in reducing suicidal behaviours.

3. Those who attempted suicide in the past won't try it again.

4 out of 5 people who have died by suicide have made at least one previous attempt.

4. Most suicides are caused by one sudden traumatic event.

A sudden traumatic event may hasten a decision to suicide, but most often many feelings and events have occurred for a long time.

5. A suicidal person clearly wants to die.

What they want most often is a way to handle circumstances in their life that are difficult and impossible to bear. Escape from the pain of these events may be their intention.

They may not actually want to carry through with suicide, but instead, desire to avoid life in its present form.

6. Suicide is generally carried out without warning.

30% of suicides have been preceded with warning signs.

7. Males have the highest rate of suicidal behaviour in North America.

Males die by suicide approximately 4 times more often than females, yet females attempt suicide approximately 4 times more often than males. Therefore, females have the highest RATE of suicidal behaviour.