Suicide Prevention

It is impossible to know for sure if a person who seems sad or who has changed for the worse is at a real risk for suicide. Nobody can ever predict how another person will react to the more troubling or difficult things in life. Different people handle different situations in different ways - this is a fact of life no matter how old you become. But there are some clear warning signs that a friend may be in trouble and that suicide may be something they are considering.

When dealing with depression, hopelessness, and fear, it is difficult to know where the bad feelings end and real risk begins. If your friend exhibits two or more of these warning signs in a close period of time it is best that you try to help. This does not mean you should take the weight of their world upon your shoulders, but it does mean you should alert other people to the possible risk. Go to your other friends, your at-risk friend's family, or a trusted teacher or counsellor. Just like your friend does not have to go through a difficult time alone, you do not need to try to save your friend on your own. If you fear your friend may attempt suicide, you should get some outside help and guidance from people who are best able to get your friend the help he/she really needs.

Common Suicide Risk Indicators:

• A previous suicide attempt, even if it seemed staged or designed to get attention, or boasts of past or secret suicide attempts.
• Talking about being dead or wishing they were dead, how others would be happier if he/she were dead or how much better off others will be when he/she is gone.
• Repeatedly engaging in very risky or dangerous thrill seeking behavior.
• "Getting the house in order" - making plans for the care of loved siblings, parents, relatives or pets and giving away cherished belongings to close friends.
• Extreme mood swings; very depressed episodes followed by happy episodes with no clear reason for the change.
• Regular expressions of worthlessness, helplessness, sadness and/or loneliness.
• Drastic changes in habits, friends, or appearance, ie; new friends, skipping school, dropping out of favorite activities, and no longer caring about appearance or cleanliness.
• Changes in weight, sleeping habits, and physical activity.
• Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities that once gave the person pleasure or a sense of identity.

If your friend is talking of suicide take the threat very seriously. It's not cool to have a dead friend - if you think about it, it would be awful.

Tell your friend you care and "no" you don't think suicide is a good solution. In fact, it's not a solution, but a transfer of problems to others.

Do you keep talk of suicide a secret between the two of you? Definitely not. You may have to disagree with your friend. If your friend refuses to look for help you may be the last potential lifesaver. Encourage his/her sharing problems with people who can help.

Suppose your friend won't talk to anyone and still wants to die. This puts you on the spot. If you want to keep your friend alive - raise the alarm yourself. Talk to parents, teachers or whoever seem appropriate. Do it now. Stay close to your friend till help arrives.

• Encourage your friend to talk to someone.
• Suggest they ask around till they find a suitable helper.
• Help check out the options and alternatives.
• Be prepared to disagree and oppose their suicidal tendencies.
• If your friend is about to kill him/herself stay close by till help arrives.
• DO NOT LEAVE YOUR FRIEND ALONE!

Nova Scotia Youth Help Line
Phone 1-800-420-8336
Available to young people anywhere in Nova Scotia. Offers Peer Counselling nightly from 6:00 - 10:00pm, when trained youth volunteers are available to help. Outside these hours, the line is open 24 hours for emergencies.