Psychological illness affects individuals of all ages, education, socioeconomic levels, and cultures. It has been estimated that 1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental health concern at least once in their lifetimes (CMHA, 2013). Mental health concerns can elevate an individual’s risk for suicide, particularly among younger populations. In fact, it is estimated that suicide accounts for approximately 25 percent of all deaths among 15 to 24-year-old individuals (CMHA, 2013).

Suicidal ideation can occur when a person feels they are no longer able to cope with overwhelming feelings or situations. Thus, these types of thoughts may be triggered by the death of a loved one, financial problems, the dissolution of a relationship, experiencing a traumatic event, job loss, or the onset of an illness. 

Suicidal ideation means having thoughts about suicide and/or thoughts of wanting to take your own life, without having any actual plans to end your life. However, active suicidal ideation or suicidal intent, is not only thinking about it but having a plan on how you would end your life. When left untreated and unaddressed, suicidal ideation can quickly turn into intent. 

“Is suicide preventable?” is a question commonly asked by parents, caregivers, and educators. The World Health Organization (2019) states that suicide is preventable as long as timely and evidence-based interventions are implemented to help those in need. Therefore, in order to help someone at risk of suicide, we must be prepared to recognize warning signs in a timely manner and be prepared to take the appropriate action.

Risk Factors

Some examples of what makes an individual more susceptible to mental distress, and possibly suicide, may include: 

• Family stressors
• Lack of social support 
• Emotion dysregulation
• Sociocultural demands
• Genetic predisposition to mental health concerns 
• History of suicide in the family 
• History of previous attempts to end one’s life 
• Being diagnosed with a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or borderline personality disorder 
• Social isolation 
• Substance use/abuse 
• Impulsive or aggressive tendencies 
• Recent death of a family member or close friend 
• Recent suicide of a family member or friend
• Chronic disease and disability 
• Access to lethal means
• Lack of access to health care 
• Experiencing trauma 

Protective Factors 

Personal characteristics or environmental resources that help an individual to cope more effectively with stress can include: 

• Social support and feeling connected to others 
• Positive coping skills 
• Ability to regulate emotions
• High self-esteem
• Having a sense of purpose in life 
• Having good problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• Having a sense of belonging
• Access to effective mental health care

Please note that risk factors are often confused with warning signs of suicide. However, the two are very different. Warning signs indicate an immediate risk of suicide, whereas risk factors indicate someone is at a potentially higher risk of suicide but has little to do with immediate risk of harm.

Warning signs

Signs that show that a person may be at immediate risk for suicide can include: 

• Sudden mood change (e.g., appearing hopeless or being irritable).
• Exhibiting mood swings 
• Having an inability to experience pleasurable emotions 
• Talking about revenge, guilt, or shame 
• Changes in personality or sleeping patterns 
• Changes in routine or performance (e.g., skipping class, work absences).
• Signs of personal neglect (e.g., poor hygiene, weight changes).
• Engaging in risky behaviours (e.g. driving recklessly, using substances) 
• Consuming more substances than usual or consuming substances they did not previously consume 
• Self-harm (e.g., cutting, burning, risky and impulsive behaviour).
• Explicit talk of suicide (e.g., “I cannot live like this anymore,” “I am a burden to everyone around me”)
• Giving away possessions
• Getting a hold of a gun, medications, or substances that could be used to end one’s life 
• Withdrawing from social contact or wanting to be left alone 
• Expressing regret about being alive or having been born
• Saying goodbye to loved ones

What you can do to help

• Try to remain calm
• Ask the tough question: Ask if they have a plan to for suicide and the means to carry out the plan
• If the answer to those questions are “yes”, do not leave the individual unsupervised
• Do not agree to keep the suicidal thoughts confidential
• Direct the individual to appropriate mental health services within the community
• Be prepared to act if immediate action is required: Call 911

If you’re currently experiencing suicidal thoughts or have intent to harm yourself, know that you don’t have to face this alone. Please consider using the following crisis resources: 

• Kids Help Phone: Call 1-800-668-6868
• Ontario Online and Text Crisis Services: Text “SUPPORT” to 258258
• Crisis Text Line: Text 686868
• Ontario Crisis Line: Call 1-866-531-2600
• Distress Centers of Greater Toronto: Call 416-408-4357
• Canada Suicide Prevention Service: Call 1-833-456-4566 or Text 45645

If you feel that you or someone else is in immediate danger of ending their life please call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest local hospital emergency room.

Written By: Angela D'Unian, M.Psy., R. P.

Edited/Reviewed by: Chantal Legere, M.Psy Candidate, B.A. (Hons) and Dr. Stacy Lekkos, C. Psych

References

Mental Health Commission of Canada (2013). Making the case for investing in mental health in Canada. 

Suicide Prevention Resource Centre. (n.d.). Risk and Protective Factors. Retrieved from https://www.sprc.org/about-suicide/risk-protective-factors

World Health Organization (September 2, 2019). Suicide. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide