Suicide rates have decreased nationally over the past five years. However, rates in Saskatchewan still remain above the national average. There are programs out there looking to help those in need.

"Crisis intervention is an attempt to help the individual kind of get back to an equilibrium where reducing their anxiety about whatever the self-identified crisis is," says John McFayden, Executive Director of Mobile Crisis Services.

If you would like to volunteer with the Canadian Mental Health Association in your community click here. They are always in need of help and by getting involved you could literally save lives.

Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable. Blinded by feelings of self-loathing, hopelessness, and isolation, a suicidal person can't see any way of finding relief except through death. But despite their desire for the pain to stop, most suicidal people are deeply conflicted about ending their own lives. They wish there was an alternative to suicide, but they just can't see one.

Most suicidal individuals give warning signs or signals of their intentions. The best way to prevent suicide is to recognize these warning signs and know how to respond if you spot them.

Major warning signs for suicide include talking about killing or harming oneself, talking or writing a lot about death or dying, and seeking out things that could be used in a suicide attempt, such as weapons and drugs. These signals are even more dangerous if the person has a mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder, suffers from alcohol dependence, has previously attempted suicide, or has a family history of suicide.

Depressed Denis

A more subtle but equally dangerous warning sign of suicide is hopelessness. Studies have found that hopelessness is a strong predictor of suicide. People who feel hopeless may talk about "unbearable" feelings, predict a bleak future, and state that they have nothing to look forward to.

Other warning signs that point to a suicidal mind frame include dramatic mood swings or sudden personality changes, such as going from outgoing to withdrawn or well-behaved to rebellious. A suicidal person may also lose interest in day-to-day activities, neglect his or her appearance, and show big changes in eating or sleeping habits.

Suicide Intervention – You Can Help

Here are ways you can help if someone wants to talk to you about his or her feelings of depression or about suicide, or if you think that someone may be acting suicidal or depressed.

Always treat such talk or behaviour seriously; don't believe that "it's just attention-seeking."
Do not promise to keep such talk or behaviour a secret; it is one secret you should not keep. It's too risky.
Do not give quick advice or say that "everything will be alright."
Be an active listener. Do a lot of listening; little talking. Let the person know you are hearing what they are saying. Try paraphrasing to check whether you are accurately hearing what is being said.
Remember that it is okay to ask the person if they have been thinking about suicide. It won't "put the ideas in their head."
Help the person explore his or her own feelings. Do not add to possible guilt by saying things such as "think how your friends and family will feel."
Don't "discount" the individual's feelings of crisis by saying things like "things aren't that bad," or "that's not true, you have lots of friends."
Show and describe your concern and caring to the person.
Don't be afraid to talk openly about the suicidal thoughts. Try to determine whether or not the person has a plan or has attempted suicide earlier.
Do not debate whether or not suicide is right or wrong. To do so may add to guilt or feelings of worthlessness.
Discussions of this nature do not always progress in a straight forward manner. It may be necessary to check on some point or other. If you miss something or it becomes obvious that you "should" have said something else, don't worry. Apologize and return to what was missed or say what you think needs saying.
Remember: You can often be a help by just being there to talk to. Many suicidal crises are immediate and short term. By talking and listening you may swing the person from feelings of "self-death" to "self-life."
Encourage the person to go to a counsellor, minister or family member for additional help. If they won't and the risk remains, contact someone for them.

You might consider:

-Contacting the person's family
-Accompanying the person to a walk-in clinic
-Phoning the family doctor
-Staying with him or her until help arrives
-Taking him or her to a mental health centre
-If the risk seems high or immediate, do not leave the person alone or send them on their own to an agency or other resource person. If possible, considering personal safety, remove the means (pills, car keys).
-Continue to be involved. Let the person know you care beyond the immediate crisis. Remember, even though the risk of suicide may be past for individual, the person may continue to need assistance - yours as well as that of a professional.

Suicide Intervention - Resources

You are not alone. There are individuals and agencies willing and able to assist you, or someone else, in dealing with depression or thoughts of suicide. These same individuals and agencies can provide information and support to assist you in working with others.

Each person's support network is unique; each community provides some kind of service. Generally, the following might provide initial and/or long-term support:

-Family physicians
-Family and community support services counsellors
-Local health clinics
-Employers
-Coaches
-Social workers
-Police
-Ministers, priests, rabbis and other religious leaders
-Medical personnel
-Psychologists
-Emergency response personnel
-Crisis/Suicide line

If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide you can contact the 24 hour Saskatchewan Crisis line at (306) 525-5333.

Life is too beautiful for you to give up. Believe in yourself and know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle. The world is a better place with you in it.

Dara & Krista hug