1. Suicide and Grief
Lesson 7

2. Myth
Fact
Suicide occurs without warning
While some suicides may be impulsive, usually the person has thought about suicide for a long time
People who talk about killing themselves rarely commit suicide
Most people who commit suicide have talked about it before

3. Myth
Fact
If you ask a person if he or she is considering suicide, you will encourage that person to commit suicide
You will not cause a suicide by asking if someone’s thinking about it. People who are not suicidal will not be influenced by the question. People who are considering will feel relieved that someone cares enough to ask and to listen to their problems.

4. Myth
Fact
All suicidal people want to die
A suicide attempt is often a cry for help. The person may be asking for help to live.
When a suicidal person suddenly seems calm and serene, there is no longer any danger of suicide
A suicidal person suddenly seams calm and serene may have decided to commit suicide and therefore feels relief that a decision has been made

5. Myth
Fact
If some makes a suicidal comment while drunk or high it is not serious
People under the influence of alcohol or other drugs may be at greater risk of acting on suicidal thoughts because their judgment is impaired and they may be more impulsive
All people who commit suicide are mentally ill
Many people who feel suicidal are not mentally ill. They may be in a period of intense emotional crisis

6. Myth Fact Once a person is suicidal, he or she will always be suicidal
Many people consider suicide for only a brief period in their lives. A person who attempts suicide and survives may never attempt again if proper support and treatment is found
The tendency toward suicide is inherited and passed from parent to child
Suicide is a behaviour and cannot be inherited. However, depression may have a genetic basis. Severely depressed people may harbour more thoughts of suicide than those who do not suffer from depression.

7. Suicide – The act of intentionally taking one’s own life
Teenage Suicide
Suicide – The act of intentionally taking one’s own life
Stats from the Canadian mental health association

8. Canadian rates 15 in 100 000 Teenage Suicide
The rate of suicide among Native youth is five to six times higher than the Canadian average
Native communities which have retained some of their historical traditions have lower suicide rates.

9. Teenage Suicide
suicide accounts for 24 percent of all deaths among year olds and 16 percent among year olds
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Canadians between the ages of 10 and 24

10. Teenage Suicide
Seventy-three percent of hospital admissions for attempted suicide are for people between the ages of 15 and 44.
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11. Warning Signs of Suicide
80 percent of people who commit suicide give warning signs or cry for help. Below is a list of possible warning signs.
Change in eating and sleeping habits
Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities
Violent actions, rebellious behaviour, or running away

12. Warning Signs of Suicide
Use of alcohol or other drugs
Unusual neglect of personal appearance
Marked personality change
Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of school work.

13. Warning Signs of Suicide
Giving away favourite possessions
Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
Not tolerating praise or rewards

14. Intervention strategies
– Canadian Mental Health Association
If you are suspecting someone of committing suicide, here are a few tips that you can use.
If possible, talk with the person directly. The single-most important thing you can do is listen attentively without judgement.

15. Intervention strategies
Talking about suicide can only decrease the likelihood that someone will act on suicidal feelings.
There is very little risk that talking about it will push someone over the edge.
Find a safe place to talk, allow for as much time as necessary

16. Intervention strategies
Ask the person about what has been happening and their emotions.
Ask the person if they are considering suicide, ask if they have a plan.
Do not tell them that their thoughts are bad.
Ask if there is anything you can do to help
Talk about possible resources (family, friends, crisis centers, etc.)

17. Intervention strategies
Make a plan with the person for the next few hours or days.
Check up on the person
If possible go with them to get help
Try to arrange someone to be with them at all times

18. Intervention strategies
Ask who else knows about the suicidal feelings.
Are there other people who should know? Is the person willing to tell them?
Confidentiality is important, but do not keep the situation secret if a life is clearly in danger.

19. Intervention strategies
Praise the person for having the courage to trust you and for continuing to live and struggle.
Remember, if the person is serious, get extra help. The person may hate you for saving them but in the end you may have saved a life.

20. Stages of Grief
In 1969, psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler- Ross introduced what became known as the “five stages of grief.”
These stages of grief were based on her studies of the feelings of patients facing terminal illness, but many people have generalized them to other types of negative life changes and losses, such as the death of a loved one or a break-up.

21. Stages of Grief “this cannot be happening to me”
1. Denial
“this cannot be happening to me”
No acceptance or acknowledgement of loss
2. Anger
"why me?"
Anger at the diseased for leaving or angry with self for not preventing it

22. Stages of Grief 3. Bargaining
Begging, wishing, praying for them to come back
4. Depression
Overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, frustration, bitterness, self pity, and mourning
Lack of control, feeling numb, possibly suicidal
5. Acceptance
There is a difference between resignation and acceptance.
You have to accept the loss, not just try to bear it quietly

23. No two people ever experience grief in the same way, or with the same intensity, but there are strategies that can help you cope with your loss.

24. Recognize your feelings and loss
Talk openly with your family so that everyone’s grief is acknowledged and can be expressed

25. Reach out to your friends and guide them if they don’t know what to say or do
Find support groups where you can share your stories, memories and methods of coping

26. Be aware that anniversaries (e. g
Be aware that anniversaries (e.g. birthdays) can be especially difficult and consider whether to continue old traditions or begin new ones
Develop rituals to honour your loved one’s life