Recognizing Warning Signs of Suicide

Do you know how to recognize if someone may be thinking about suicide?

Suicide can be a daunting topic. We might feel shame and stigma in bringing up the idea of taking one’s life. Or we might want to talk about it, but we don’t know the best way to bring it up. We might even be worried that bringing up suicide might put the idea in someone’s head – however, this is a myth.

If you think someone might be thinking about suicide, there are ways to start a conversation.

The first step is to start by knowing the signs that might indicate that someone is thinking about suicide. Here are some signs. Remember that someone may not show all of these symptoms.

• Comments about being hopeless, being a burden, wanting to die; expressing no reason to live; threatening to die and/or looking for ways to hurt oneself
• Withdrawal from friends and family; e.g. texting or calling less, skipping events; appearing distant
• Intense sadness or rage, irritability, recklessness, dramatic mood changes
• Increased substance use
• Preparing for death (e.g. putting affairs in order)

You can learn more about warning signs through the Suicide Prevention Resource Centre.

Now that you know how to recognize the warning signs, what should you do next? You can have a caring conversation about suicide. More to come on this topic.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide and are looking for help, you should call or text 9-8-8, the Suicide Crisis Helpline, which provides access to free 24/7 suicide prevention services via call or text.

If you are looking for support, ideas, or just want to chat, you can always reach out to your Jamati Mukhi Kamdia Sahebs and Mukhiani Kamadiani Sahebas. You can also call the ACCESS line for help in finding resources for non-crisis situations.

If you are looking to learn more about suicide prevention and taking care of your mental health, check out the following resources:

• Hope by CAMH is a free smartphone app that provides suicide prevention information, tools and crisis resources to support and guide individuals when they are experiencing thoughts of suicide. One of the key features of this app is the ability for individuals to create a personalized suicide safety plan.
• LivingWorks Start, a 90-minute online interactive course that teaches you how to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to help and support, including practical simulations