Suicide Awareness © 2016 Dustin MacDonald

Agenda About Me A Note on Wording Definitions Suicide Statistics Suicide True and False Risk Factors for Suicide Warning Signs for Suicide How to Help Support Networks Case Study

About Me Currently Director of Online Support & Communication @ Distress Centre Durham Distress Centre Durham History 1600+ hours of telephone experience 600+ hours of online chat and text Former Placement Student, Summer Student (x3) Trainer Experience Distress Centre Durham Basic Training DCIB Suicide Risk Assessment Online Chat and Text (ONTX) Training

Before we start… People do not commit suicide You commit a crime, you get committed to a psychiatric hospital Instead, people who take their own lives are said to have suicided or alternately died by suicide, as one dies of lung cancer or a person is murdered.

Definitions Suicide Suicidal ideation Parasuicide Intentional taking of one’s own life Suicidal ideation Clinical term for suicidal thoughts Parasuicide A suicidal attempt that is designed to fail or be discovered Not necessarily attention-seeking behaviour

What is a Crisis? A crisis is any event that overwhelms someone’s coping mechanisms, those things a person does to solve or deal with a problem

Suicide Statistics Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in Canada for 18-24 year olds (behind car accidents) More than 90% of suicide victims have a diagnosable mental illness 1,115 people died by suicide in Ontario in 2005 The suicide rate is 12.7 per 100,000 males and 4.1 per 100,000 females in Ontario The Aboriginal suicide rate is 11 times higher than the national average

Risk Factors for Suicide Mental Illness Clinical Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Schizophrenia all increase risk Financial Difficulties Bullying (+ Cyber-bullying) for young adults Relationship Troubles Academic / School Troubles Legal Problems History of Physical / Sexual Abuse

Up to 70% percent of suicides involve alcohol or drugs Suicide True and False Most suicides involve drugs or alcohol… True! Up to 70% percent of suicides involve alcohol or drugs

Most people feeling suicidal want to talk about their feelings Suicide True and False Talking about suicide can plant the idea in someone’s head False! Most people feeling suicidal want to talk about their feelings

The highest risk population is 45-54 years of age Suicide True and False Teenagers have the highest rate of suicide False! The highest risk population is 45-54 years of age

The most common method (overall) is hanging Suicide True and False The most common suicide method is pills False! The most common method (overall) is hanging

Only about 30% of suicides have notes Suicide True and False Most suicidal people leave notes False! Only about 30% of suicides have notes

Most suicidal people don’t want to die, but want the pain to stop Suicide True and False Suicidal people want to die False! Most suicidal people don’t want to die, but want the pain to stop

Risk Factors for Suicide Substance Abuse Physical Illness Bereavement Grief and Loss Especially a suicide-related loss Interrupted (or “Complicated” Grief) Identifying as LGBTQ Military Veteran Profound humiliation or failure Others?

Suicide Warning Signs Risk Factors are things that increase the likelihood someone will suicide because those things make coping more difficult Warning signs are clues that a suicidal crisis may be imminent It takes careful clinical examination by a trained mental health professional to determine a person’s true level of risk

Suicide Warning Signs Sudden Mood changes (either very happy or very sad) Sudden appetite changes Talking about life in the past tense Telling people goodbye, tying up loose ends Talking about suicidal acts, feeling hopeless or helpless Making lethality statements

How to Help Listen! Provide empathy Refer to resources Explore options Distress Centre (1-800-452-0688, 905-430-2522) Durham College Counselling Services Durham Mental Health Services Other resources (e.g. spiritual) Explore options Build support network

Support Network Three levels of support Internal External Peripheral Strong support network allows developing the resources that provides the strongest defence against suicide

Things that we do ourselves to cope with stress Internal Supports Things that we do ourselves to cope with stress

Internal Supports Examples include: Journalling Listening to music / Playing an Instrument Running / Working Out / Exercise Prayer / Meditation / Spirituality Art Yoga / Massage Deep Breathing Other Hobbies

People in our “inner circle” we reach out to External Supports People in our “inner circle” we reach out to

External Supports Examples include: Family Friends Pets

Community agencies and others outside of our inner circle Peripheral Supports Community agencies and others outside of our inner circle

Peripheral Supports Examples include: Distress Lines (e.g. Distress Centre) Family Doctors Psychiatrists / Psychologists Durham Mental Health Services Clergy Any others?

Summary Suicide is usually preventable Asking about suicidal thoughts is the most important thing you can do Never be afraid to reach out to a professional for help

Case Study