1: True or False
False. Talking about suicide helps!
Name two feelings that may be warning signs of suicide risk.
•Hopelessness - "Things will never get better“, "There is no point in trying."
•Worthlessness - "I can't do anything right."
•Helplessness - "There is nothing I can do about it."
•Guilt, shame, sense of personal failure - "What I did was unforgivable." "I'm useless."
•Feelings of being a burden to others - "Everyone would be better off without me."
•Pervasive sadness - Feeling sad or upset, often without a clear cause.
•Persistent anxiety - Feeling nervous or “on-edge”, feeling like something bad is going to happen.
•Persistent agitation - Feeling overly frustrated or annoyed over seemingly-small inconveniences.
•Persistent, uncharacteristic anger, hostility, or irritability - Lashing-out, yelling, starting arguments.
•Confusion - Inability to think straight, make decisions, “brain-fog”.
What can you do if you are worried someone is at risk of suicide?
ACT!
A: Active Listening
C: Care/Concern
T: Tell a trusted adult
What is the suicide crisis line phone number?
988
True or false: There are alternatives to self-harm
True.
True or False: I have to try to fix what's making my friend sad.
False. The most important things are EMPATHY and ACTIVE LISTENING.
Name two actions that may be signs of suicide risk.
•Uncharacteristic aggression - Lashing out at others or getting worked up over seemingly small inconveniences.
•Risk-taking - Dangerous driving, reckless spending and/or gambling, unsafe behaviour
•Withdrawing from friends and regular activities / Isolating self. - Not visiting friends/family. No longer attending activities.
•Becoming accident prone. Uncharacteristic clumsiness.
•Getting into trouble, discipline problems. - Getting in trouble at work, school, or home.
•Drug or alcohol abuse - Increased drinking, smoking, and/or drug use.
•Themes of death or destruction in talk, writing, websites visited, and/or media. - Talking or writing about death. Listening to music, watching shows/movies, or visiting websites about death.
•Unusual posts on social media
Name two ways you can show someone you are really listening to them.
Full Attention: Focus entirely on the speaker, minimizing distractions and multitasking.
Empathy: Understand and share the speaker’s feelings, putting yourself in their shoes.
Nonverbal Engagement: Maintain eye contact, nod, smile, and use open body language to show attentiveness.
Paraphrasing and Summarizing: Reflect back what the speaker said in your own words to confirm understanding.
Open-Ended Questions: Ask questions that encourage elaboration rather than yes/no answers, helping the speaker express themselves fully.
Avoid Interrupting or Judging: Let the speaker finish without interjecting opinions or advice prematurely.
Responding to Emotions: Address the feelings behind the words, not just the factual content, to show empathy and validation.
True or false: I can call the suicide crisis line at 3:00 AM.
True! The suicide crisis line (988) is available 24/7. You can also text.
Name one alternative to self-harm.
Rubber bands
Ice on wrists
Clench your muscles and relax
Write or draw on paper
Breathing techniques
Meditation
Distraction
True or False: If my friend says they are thinking about suicide and ask me to not tell anyone, it's okay to keep it a secret.
False. A person's life is too important not to tell someone about.
Story from Michael's life.
Name two threats that may be a sign of suicide risk.
•Statements: Talking about suicide directly or indirectly, written themes of death, preoccupation with death: "I won't be around much longer," writing a suicide note, making direct threats.
• Plans: Giving away prized possessions, making arrangements for a funeral, studying drug effects, stocking up on large amounts of medication, obtaining a weapon.
What are some good things you can say to someone who is sharing their thoughts of suicide with you?
•"I'm sorry to hear about this."
•“That sounds really hard.”
•“Thank you to coming to me with this.”
•“You don’t have to go through this alone.”
•“I’m here for you.”
•“I’m worried about you.”
•“I care about what happens to you”
•I don’t want anything bad to happen to you or for you to be hurt.”
•“I want to be sure you stay safe.”
Name one way to reach KidsHelpPhone.
If it's happening over a long period of time
If it goes along with consistent thoughts of suicide
If means are available and a plan is in place
True or False: Self-harm always means a person is suicidal.
False. Sometimes it does, but most of the time, self-harm is a coping strategy to deal with pain. There are alternatives.
Name two changes you might see in a person if they are at risk of suicide.
•Withdrawal, low energy, developing a "don't care" attitude
•Appearing more talkative or outgoing (even boisterous)
•Struggle to concentrate on school, work, or routine tasks
•Loss of interest in hobbies or work
•Marked decrease in school or work performance and/or attendance.
•Marked increase or decrease in sleep or appetite
•Sudden improvement after being down
•Serious Illness
True or False: If someone shares suicidal thoughts with you, it's a good idea to ask direct questions such as "do you want to kill yourself?" or "do you have a plan?"
True. Directness makes the issue easier to talk about and makes the person know you are listening.
Name a suicide help resource besides the crisis line or Kids Help Phone.
Klinic Crisis Line
(Manitoba-wide, 24/7)
204-786-8686 or
1-888-322-3019
On-call Counselling Services:
(431) 354-1270
Name two alternatives to self-harm if you are feeling sad or depressed.
Do something slow and soothing. • Take a hot bath with bath oil or bubbles. • Curl up under a comforter with hot cocoa and a good book. • Baby yourself somehow. • Give yourself a present. • Hug a loved one or stuffed animal. • Play with a pet. • Make a list of things that make you happy. • Do something nice for someone else. • Light sweet-smelling incense. • Listen to soothing music. • Smooth nice body lotion into the parts of yourself you want to hurt. • Call a friend and just talk about things that you like. • Make a tray of special treats. • Watch TV or read. • Visit a friend.
True or False: It is your fault if somebody you care about dies by suicide.
FALSE! It is NOT YOUR FAULT! Please do not blame yourself. People die by suicide because of their own pain and suffering.
True or False: If I think somebody is just being "dramatic" or looking for attention, I shouldn't take their talk of suicide seriously.
False. It's always important to take people seriously when they mention suicide. It's better to be safe even if you are not sure. Also, people sometimes seek attention when they are feeling alone.
How can you help someone who tells you about suicidal thoughts to tell a trusted adult?
Use statements like:
•“Who are you comfortable talking to?”
•“We could go talk with a school counsellor."
•“We could meet with the mental health worker at the nursing station."
•“Is there a family member you would be comfortable talking to?”
Name another suicide help resource besides the crisis line or Kids Help Phone.
Nursing station:
(204) 484-2031
Crisis Response Centre (Winnipeg):
204-940-1781
Located in Winnipeg, this center offers immediate support for those experiencing mental health crises.
Name two alternatives to self-harm if you are feeling angry.
• Slash an empty plastic soda bottle or a piece of heavy cardboard or an old shirt or sock. • Squeeze ice. • Do something that will give you a sharp sensation, like eating lemon. • Make a soft cloth doll to represent the things you are angry at. Cut and tear it instead of yourself. • Flatten aluminum cans for recycling, seeing how fast you can go. • Hit a punching bag. • Pick up a stick and hit a tree. • Use a pillow to hit a wall, pillow-fight style. • Rip up an old newspaper or phone book. • On a sketch or photo of yourself, mark in red ink what you want to do. Cut and tear the picture. • Make clay models and cut or smash them. • Throw ice into the bathtub or against a brick wall hard enough to shatter it. • Dance. • Clean. • Exercise. • Bang pots and pans. • Stomp around in heavy shoes. • Play handball or tennis.