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Suicide Information
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Parent / Adult Info |
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GET HELP NOW
1- 800 - 452 - 0688 |
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Youth stressors:
¨ Bullying ¨ Body image ¨ Peer pressure ¨ Deciding on a university / college ¨ Loss: parent, friend, boyfriend / girlfriend, family ¨ Acceptance by peer groups ¨ Sexual Orientation / Identity ¨ Untreated / Undiagnosed mental illness ¨ Failure to meet expectations ¨ Abuse / Assault ¨ Inability to express emotions
What do Suicidal youth feel?
¨ Worthless, alone, helpless, withdrawn, misunderstood, sad, angry, overwhelmed by pain ¨ May believe they are a burden on their parents friends ¨ Believe their negative emotions will last forever ¨ Unable to cope.
Warning signs a person may be suicidal:
¨ Sudden change of behavior ¨ Depression or hyperactivity lasting for weeks, or acting out behavior ¨ Loss of interest in friends, regular activities and personal appearance ¨ Changes in eating / sleeping patterns ¨ Giving away possessions ¨ Risky behavior - increased usage of drugs/alcohol, unsafe sex ¨ Constant withdrawal to his/her room ¨ Lack of interest in the future ¨ Verbal Cues, such as: ¨ “I should just end it all.. I can’t take this anymore… things would be better without me”
What you can do to help:
DON’T: ¨ Pass judgment ¨ Give advice ¨ Dismiss their problems or feelings
DO: ¨ LISTEN - This is the most important thing you can do. Listen without judging or challenging, or becoming angry or shocked.
¨ Use “I feel” statements (say: when you do this I feel angry, rather than you make me angry). This avoids blaming the teen for their feelings.
¨ Take their problems and feelings seriously, and show that you care and that you want to help.
¨ If you’ve noticed any of the warning signs, ask them DIRECTLY if they are thinking of hurting or killing themselves, even if the answer is yes, there is help available.
ASK QUESTIONS:
¨ Comment at the changes you’ve noticed (“I’ve noticed_____, is something wrong?”)
¨ Tell your teen “you want to help, you love them, and you take them seriously
¨ Are you thinking of suicide?
If the answer is yes, ask:
¨ Do you have current plan? ¨ When are you planning to do it? ¨ Do you have the means to do it? ¨ Have you attempted in the past?
The more definite the plan, the higher the risk of suicide.
If the risk is very high: ¨ Don’t leave them alone ¨ Don’t hesitate to contact your local emergency room
Who else to contact: ¨ Family doctor ¨ Crisis line ¨ School counselor ¨ Community counselor ¨ Crisis intervention team
Get your teen to help you select people who may be of support to them, to create a support network of readily accessible people who are already present in their lives, such as: ¨ Trusted friends ¨ Family members ¨ Co-workers ¨ Clergy ¨ Teachers ¨ Family doctor
Get support for yourself too
You are probably experiencing a wide range of emotions, such as: shock, anger sadness, blame, fear
Get help for yourself as well, you can’t do it alone!
¨ Connect with a good friend or family member, counselor, family doctor ¨ Ask for practical support with driving to appointments, or making phone calls etc. ¨ Take some time to yourself to participate in an enjoyable activity ¨ Watch out for your physical, mental, spiritual health ¨ Model self—care and model reaching out for help ¨ Remember that - You are one of the most significant role models in the life if your teen! |
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Phone: 905-723-4461 Fax: 905-723-2283 Email: dcd@distresscentredurham.com |
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To contact us: |
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Distress Centre Durham Resource Centre & Administration Centre
58 Rossland Rd W Suite #211 Oshawa, ON L1G 2V5
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Would you like a Suicide Awareness Presentation for your Durham Region secondary school?
Contact Us: 905-723-4461
FAX: 905-723-2283
EMAIL: |
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You Can Make a Difference! |
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Information For Concerned Parents |
