Embracing Life
Embracing Life

Suicide Prevention

Warning Signs

The presence of multiple warning signs or risk factors can put someone at higher risk for suicide. Here are some warning signs to be aware of:

Increased alcohol or drug use
Increased alcohol or drug use
Feeling trapped
Feeling trapped
Withdrawn from activities
Withdrawn from activities
Isolating from family and friends
Isolating from family and friends
Depression
Depression
Anxiety
Anxiety
Easily agitated
Easily agitated
Feeling like a burden
Feeling like a burden
Feeling hopeless
Feeling hopeless
No sense of purpose
No sense of purpose
Dramatic mood changes
Dramatic mood changes
Sleeping too much
Sleeping too much
Acting reckless/Engaging in risky activities
Acting reckless/Engaging in risky activities
Unbearable pain
Unbearable pain
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What are protective factors?

Protective factors are attributes that an individual, families and communities have to help mitigate or eliminate the risk of suicide. The presence of multiple protective factors can help reduce the risk of suicidal behaviors. The more protective qualities a person has, the lower the potential risk for suicide.
protective factors
Strong problem solving skills
protective factors
Positive self-image
protective factors
Spiritual belief or faith
protective factors
Close family relationships
protective factors
Strong peer support systems
protective factors
Involvement in activities or hobbies
protective factors
Community connectedness
protective factors
Access to treatment or resources
protective factors
Restricted access to means
Protective Factors
Starting the Conversation

Starting the Conversation

Starting a conversation with someone you are worried about can be intimidating. Make sure that you have a private place to talk with no distractions and sometime to have a thoughtful conversation.

Please remember Safety first, if at anytime the person you are concerned for tries to harm themselves or someone else – call emergency services

Asking about suicide directly, with empathy and without judgement is important. This gives the person you are worried about permission to talk about their feelings.

How to start a conversation about suicide?

  • Starting a conversation about suicide with someone you are worried about can be intimidating. Make sure that you have a private place to talk with no distractions and some time to have a thoughtful conversation.
  • Please remember Safety first, if at anytime the person you are concerned for tries to harm themselves or someone else – call emergency services
  • Asking about suicide directly, with empathy and without judgement is important. This gives the person you are worried about permission to talk about their feelings.

Facts About Suicide

Levels of Suicide Risk

Although suicide can be difficult to discuss there are different levels of what suicide risk can look like. How to deal with each of these steps is available in Helping Conversations.

  • Low – thoughts of suicide, but no plan or intent
  • Medium – thoughts of suicide with a vague plan, but no suicide actions
  • High – thoughts of suicide with a specific plan
  • Very high – thoughts of suicide with a specific plan and intent to carry out the plan.
Facts about Suicide

Myths about Suicide

Below is a great link that looks at the myths and facts about suicide in youth.
https://suicideprevention.nv.gov/Youth/Myths/

Recovering from Suicidal thoughts

The link below is a resource that provides learnings from people who have contemplated suicide themselves, and how they are working to prevent future deaths. These are the things that suicide attempt survivors want you to know:
https://www.health.com/condition/depression/suicide-attempt-survivors