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Manitoba Healthy Schools

Healthy Schools

Suicide

A crisis that may seem insignificant to an adult may be very significant to a child or adolescent

What are the signs?

  • Thinking about killing self.
  • Saying “I wish I was dead”.
  • Feelings of hopelessness.
  • One or more previous suicide attempts.
  • Death by suicide of a friend or family member.
  • Sudden change in behaviour (positive or negative).
  • Withdrawal from friends and activities.
  • Lack of interest.
  • Increase use of alcohol and other drugs.
  • Unusual preoccupation with death or dying.
  • Giving away valued personal possessions.
  • Mood swings, emotional outbursts, high level of irritability, or aggression.

What can you do?

suicide 2

Individuals should be trained before assessing for suicide risk!

  • Ask the person if he or she is thinking about suicide.
  • Be direct - Ask if they have a concrete plan.
  • Always take talk about suicide seriously.
  • Really listen, without judging or challenging, or becoming angry and shocked.
  • Stay with the person until other help is available.
  • Talk to someone.
  • Help them see hope for the future.
  • Guide them to other sources of help as soon as possible, such as a parents, counselor, or other trusted adult, or community crisis phone line.
  • Don’t keep the information to yourself.

If you are having an immediate mental health crisis, please click here to see a listing of mental health crisis lines and services available in Manitoba or contact the Youth Emergency Crisis Stabilization System at MacDonald Youth Services in Winnipeg.

Sources:

Government of Manitoba. (2004) Injuries in Manitoba: A 10-year review. http://www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/docs/injuriesmb.pdf

Canadian Mental Health Association. (1993). Preventing Suicide. http://www.cmha.ca/english/info_centre/mh_pamphlets/mh_pamphlet_12.pdf

Canadian Mental Health Association. (1993). Reflections on Youth Suicide. http://www.cmha.ca/english/info_centre/mh_pamphlets/mh_pamphlet_29.pdf

Canadian Mental Health Association. (1993). When a Young Person is Suicidal. http://www.cmha.ca/english/info_centre/mh_pamphlets/mh_pamphlet_30.pdf

For more information about Healthy Schools, please contact:

Healthy Schools
Phone:  (204) 788-6620
Email:  healthyschools@gov.mb.ca