SUICIDE PREVENTION & AWARENESS
This term refers to early signs—such as withdrawal, hopelessness, or talking about being a burden—that someone may be struggling.
What are Warning Signs?
Contrary to a common myth, asking someone about suicide does not “put the idea in their head.” Instead, it does this.
What is Open the door for honest conversation and Support?
This simple question—often feared but important—can save a life when someone seems distressed.
What is “Are you thinking about suicide?”
Major changes in sleep, appetite, or mood may fall under this category of early indicators.
What are Warning Signs?
Supportive friends, family, and community relationships strengthen this key protective factor.
What is Social Connection?
Calling 9-8-8 in Canada provides immediate support from trained professionals during this type of mental health emergency.
What is a Crisis?
Many people believe individuals who talk about suicide “won’t actually do it,” but research shows this statement is actually this.
What is a Warning Sign?
Staying with someone, staying calm, and helping them contact support are all examples of this immediate type of safety response.
What is Crisis Intervention?
Recent loss, trauma, or significant life stress can increase suicide risk; these are known as these types of factors.
What are Precipitating Factors?
Having reasons to live—such as goals, loved ones, faith, or future plans—are part of this factor that reduces risk.
What are reasons for Life/Hope?
This kind of conversation style—focused on empathy, listening, and no judgment—helps people open up about their feelings.
What is Active Listening?
(or What is a supportive conversation?)
A common myth is that people who are suicidal want to die, but many actually feel this inner conflict.
What is Ambivalence (wanting the pain to stop but not wanting to die)?
This type of communication skill involves reflecting feelings, using empathy, and avoiding judgment.
What is Active Listening?
Someone giving away belongings or saying “I won’t be around much longer” may be showing this type of communication.
What are Indirect Verbal Cues?
Access to mental health care and culturally safe supports are examples of this kind of protective factor.
What are Resource-based Protective Factors?
Having supportive relationships, coping skills, or cultural/community connection are known as these protective influences.
What are Protective factors?
The idea that “only people with mental illness think about suicide” is false; suicide risk is influenced by multiple factors—social, emotional, and these.
What are Environmental or Situational factors?
One of the best ways to help someone in crisis is to connect them to these professionals who are trained to provide immediate mental health assistance.
Who are Crisis Counselors?
A history of suicide attempts increases risk because it is one of the strongest predictors, and falls under this category of factors.
What are Historical Risk Factors?
The ability to problem-solve, cope, and ask for help are examples of this psychological strength.
What is Resilience?
This evidence-based approach encourages individuals to explore their own reasons for change rather than imposing advice.
What is Motivational Interviewing?
The belief that someone suddenly becoming calm after being highly distressed means they’re “getting better” can be dangerous; this shift can sometimes signal this.
What is a possible increased suicide risk or final decision?
When someone agrees to remove access to harmful items and reach out for help if they feel unsafe, they are participating in this type of personalized plan.
What is a Safety Plan?
Isolation, discrimination, and lack of support are considered forms of this broad type of risk.
What are Social Risk Factors?
Feeling connected to one’s culture or identity can promote belonging and safety; this is known as this type of protective factor.
What is Cultural Connectedness?