Suicide Awareness and Help

Thoughts of harming ourselves or committing suicide can be triggered by any number of traumas in our lives:

• Loss/ grief (job, relationship, divorce)
• Loneliness
• Stress
• Addiction

If you are thinking of suicide speak to someone you trust immediately.

This might be a family member, friend, teacher, co-worker, your doctor or a professional counsellor or therapist.

If no one is available and the thoughts and feelings are strong, and you have a plan for committing suicide, call the crisis line in your area or go to the closest emergency room at a hospital. (Canadian Mental Health Association- Simcoe County Branch- Barrie – Mental Health Crisis Line 705-728-5044, available 24 hours.)

Thoughts of suicide are fairly common when we are feeling overwhelmed by the many complexities of life. I would encourage you to not feel ashamed of these thoughts and feelings. Usually the opportunity to talk about suicidal thoughts and feelings is enough to get us through that period of feeling overwhelmed so that we can figure out how to face whatever life is sending our way.

Talking about suicide does not plant the idea deeper in people’s minds, but rather shows you are taking them seriously, that you do not judge their thoughts or feelings as bad or shameful. If someone is talking to you about suicide, stay calm*, ask them ‘Do you have a plan to kill or harm yourself?’ Often the answer is no; but, even if they do, your asking shows them you are listening, taking them seriously and not judging. This is often enough to help them through their current crisis.

* If you can’t stay calm, help the individual call the crisis line in your community.

If they have a clearly laid out plan, encourage them to make a covenant/commitment with you or someone they trust, to make contact before following through with any plan to committee suicide. This agreement will usually offer them the help they need to get through the crisis. It is always helpful to have your local crisis line number ready in case you need further assistance. Those centres are there to help the distressed person, as well as those who have concerns about suicide and suicidal intentions.

Always take any talk or threats of suicide seriously. They are always a cry out of deep suffering and pain.
When the immediate threat has passed, reach out for professional help to get at the root of this suffering. Talk therapy can help us figure out why life is overwhelming, and then nurture the discovery of our natural strengths to enable us to face everything that might come our way.