Suicide

Resources

468 Albertans died by suicide in 2007. Of those, 136 were female and 332 were male.
That year, 73 people aged 15-24 died by suicide in Alberta.
In 2007, 103 people died by suicide in Edmonton alone — almost a full quarter of Alberta's total suicide deaths.

Accumulation of losses: while none of the losses may be particularly overwhelming in isolation, an accumulation of losses or changes over a limited time period can lead to a suicidal crisis.
Sense of isolation: feeling alone, that no one understands or cares or, alternately, that one is burdensome to others because of one's issues.
Alcohol or drug abuse: alcohol, in particular, reduces one's inhibitions, while acting as a depressant.
Mental Illness: individuals living with mental illnesses are generally more at risk.
Lack of resiliency: individuals who are unable or unwilling to adapt to change are often less able to cope in turbulent times.

Ask the person as straightforwardly as you can if he or she is feeling suicidal (e.g. "I’m worried about you. Have you been thinking about suicide?").
Ask if the person has a plan. Ask if he or she has thought about how and when he or she plans on committing suicide. Get details.
Ask about any resources the person has to cope with their feelings. These could include talking to a friend or relative, a hobby or activity the person finds enjoyable, or writing thoughts down in a journal.
Let the person know that you care.
Get support for yourself. Ask someone to help you support this person.
Call the Peer Support Centre, or another agency, for help with talking to the person.
If you think the person is in immediate physical danger, call an emergency number such as an ambulance or 911.

Myth	Reality
Asking about suicidal intent will encourage a suicide attempt.	A direct question (i.e. "Are you thinking of killing yourself?") will often lower the anxiety level and allow the person to talk about the feelings that being experienced.
People who talk about suicide don't commit suicide.	Most people give some warning of their intent. Suicide threats and attempts must be taken seriously.
Suicidal people don't want to live.	Suicidal people want to end their pain. They don't like life as they are living it, but may not be ready to embrace death.
Someone who is suicidal cannot be helped and even if the person is stopped now, he/she will only try again.	There is a danger period of 72 hours after a suicide attempt when risk of a second attempt is greatest. With proper support, he/she may not be suicidal again.
Suicidal people are mentally ill.	Many suicidal people are depressed or upset, but could not be classified as mentally ill.

The majority of the information on this page was provided by The Support Network of Edmonton.

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Email
psc@su.ualberta.ca

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Peer Support Centre
Room 2-707
Students' Union Building
University of Alberta
8900 - 114 Street NW
Edmonton, AB
T6G 2J7