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<\/figure>\n \n Suicide: Important things to know<\/h2>\n \n\n Factors, warning signs and tips to more openly talk about suicide.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n Learn more<\/a>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThere are some common warning signs that may suggest a young person is at risk for suicide. Youth who are thinking about suicide may exhibit some or all of the following behaviours. They may:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- talk about suicide thoughts or actions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- seem preoccupied with death, dying and\/or suicide (e.g. in writing or drawings)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- have previously attempted suicide<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- try to give away meaningful belongings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- lose interest in friends, school, sports or hobbies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- show signs of depression or hopelessness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- have recently lost a friend or family member \u2014 in particular a parent \u2014 to suicide<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- show changes in their typical behaviour, including hygiene, eating, sleeping or mood<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If a young person describes any type of plan to attempt suicide, the method they would use to die by suicide or a timeline of when they would act, it\u2019s important to get help right away. Stay with the young person (or find a safe adult who can), let them know you\u2019re concerned and make a plan together to call 911 or the emergency services in your area.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nYou can also call or text 9-8-8, a 24\/7 confidential national suicide crisis helpline for support.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Talking to a young person about suicide<\/h2>\n\n\n
Here are some tips for talking to a young person about suicide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Start gently<\/strong>: mention the changes you\u2019ve noticed in their behaviour: \u201cI noticed you\u2019re spending a lot of time alone lately \u2014 is something bothering you?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Be direct: <\/strong>ask the young person if they\u2019re considering suicide: \u201cAre you thinking about killing yourself?\u201d If the answer is \u201cyes,\u201d find out if they have a plan: \u201cHow are you planning to do it?\u201d The more detailed the plan, the higher the risk.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Remind them you care<\/strong>: people who are thinking about suicide<\/a> are often worried that they\u2019re a burden, so it\u2019s important to communicate to them that you care about them and want to help them through this difficult time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tell them help is available, and that you have hope for them: <\/strong>tell them that things can get better, and that you\u2019ll support them in finding help and working toward learning skills to take care of their mental health. To start, you can make an appointment with your family doctor, visit a children\u2019s mental health centre or use Resources Around Me<\/a> to search for other support options near you. You can also encourage them to contact Kids Help Phone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Judge: <\/strong>let the young person do the talking and try to avoid interrupting as they share their story.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Talk too much: <\/strong>don\u2019t try to fill all the silences in the conversation. The pauses may result in the young person opening up more.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Minimize: <\/strong>avoid minimizing the young person\u2019s feelings by saying things like, \u201cLife isn\u2019t fair,\u201d or \u201cIt\u2019ll pass.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
\n If a young person has a plan to die by suicide<\/h2>\n\n\n
Do not leave the young person alone<\/strong>. It\u2019s important to stay with the young person as you work together to connect with support in your community (e.g. you can call 911 or the emergency services in your area). If you can\u2019t stay with the young person, ask another safe adult (e.g. a relative, friend, Elder, etc.) who\u2019s willing and able to stay with them and help them stay safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting help for yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n
Knowing that a young person in your life is thinking about suicide can be incredibly difficult. As a parent or caregiver, you may feel judgment or blame for what the young person is going through, or you may feel that it\u2019s your fault. It\u2019s not. Avoid the temptation to criticize or blame yourself. Support is crucial during this time. It\u2019s important to create a network of trusted people you can talk to about your feelings, such as friends, family members, spiritual leaders, counsellors, support groups or anyone else who can listen and assist. You don\u2019t have to go through this alone.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n Help is out there<\/h2>\n\n\n
If you know a young person who\u2019s struggling with a problem, big or small, you can encourage them to contact Kids Help Phone for support. We\u2019re available 24\/7\/365.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brought to you with the support of:<\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/kidshelpphone.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/download.png\")
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Factors, warning signs and tips to more openly talk about suicide.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n Learn more<\/a>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n There are some common warning signs that may suggest a young person is at risk for suicide. Youth who are thinking about suicide may exhibit some or all of the following behaviours. They may:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a young person describes any type of plan to attempt suicide, the method they would use to die by suicide or a timeline of when they would act, it\u2019s important to get help right away. Stay with the young person (or find a safe adult who can), let them know you\u2019re concerned and make a plan together to call 911 or the emergency services in your area.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also call or text 9-8-8, a 24\/7 confidential national suicide crisis helpline for support.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n Here are some tips for talking to a young person about suicide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not leave the young person alone<\/strong>. It\u2019s important to stay with the young person as you work together to connect with support in your community (e.g. you can call 911 or the emergency services in your area). If you can\u2019t stay with the young person, ask another safe adult (e.g. a relative, friend, Elder, etc.) who\u2019s willing and able to stay with them and help them stay safe.<\/p>\n\n\n Knowing that a young person in your life is thinking about suicide can be incredibly difficult. As a parent or caregiver, you may feel judgment or blame for what the young person is going through, or you may feel that it\u2019s your fault. It\u2019s not. Avoid the temptation to criticize or blame yourself. Support is crucial during this time. It\u2019s important to create a network of trusted people you can talk to about your feelings, such as friends, family members, spiritual leaders, counsellors, support groups or anyone else who can listen and assist. You don\u2019t have to go through this alone.<\/p>\n\n\n If you know a young person who\u2019s struggling with a problem, big or small, you can encourage them to contact Kids Help Phone for support. We\u2019re available 24\/7\/365.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brought to you with the support of:<\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n Talking to a young person about suicide<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n If a young person has a plan to die by suicide<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n Getting help for yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n Help is out there<\/h2>\n\n\n
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