{"id":106,"date":"2021-07-01T18:09:25","date_gmt":"2021-07-01T22:09:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/chapter\/observing-and-recognizing-the-signs\/"},"modified":"2022-03-21T12:51:49","modified_gmt":"2022-03-21T16:51:49","slug":"observing-and-recognizing-the-signs","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/chapter\/observing-and-recognizing-the-signs\/","title":{"raw":"Observing and Recognizing the Signs","rendered":"Observing and Recognizing the Signs"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"textbox\">The majority of suicides have been preceded by verbal or behavioural warning signs. This section looks at some of the signs that someone may be considering suicide.<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"h5p\">[h5p id=\"4\"]\r\n<em>These slides are available for use with this section of the presentation. For information about downloading presentation slides, see <a class=\"internal\" href=\"\/suicideawareness\/front-matter\/introduction\/\">Introduction<\/a>.<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-226\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide23.jpg\" alt=\"slide: recognizing signs\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" \/><\/div>\r\n<h1>Signs That Someone Is Contemplating Suicide<\/h1>\r\nThere are thoughts, feelings, physical effects, actions, and events that are common to a person\u2019s experience and may give us clues to the possibility of suicide.\r\n\r\nWe need to be observant and notice these things, which by themselves may not be definitive indicators but will give us valuable clues to probe further. Remember:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>You already have these skills.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Noticing the signs is the starting point.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-169\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide24-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" \/><\/div>\r\n<h2>Thoughts<\/h2>\r\nWhat are possible thoughts that people who are contemplating suicide might be having?\r\n\r\nThey may be thinking:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>I can\u2019t do anything right.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>I just can\u2019t take it anymore.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>I can\u2019t carry on like this.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>I wish I were dead.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>People will be better off without me.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>No one can do anything to help me.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-170\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide25-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" \/><\/div>\r\n<h2>Feelings<\/h2>\r\nIf you hear a student say they feel helpless, hopeless, or worthless, these are red flags that they may be thinking about suicide. They may also be feeling angry, guilty, lonely, or sad.\r\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-171\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide26-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" \/><\/div>\r\nPeople may feel ambivalent about dying. There is a huge difference between wanting to die and not wanting to live. Suicidal thoughts often come when pain exceeds a person\u2019s resources.\r\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-172\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide27-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" \/><\/div>\r\n<h2>Statements<\/h2>\r\nSometimes a person will make statements about their intention.\r\n\r\nDirect statements could be:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>\u201cI\u2019m going to end it all.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cI\u2019d be better off dead.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cIf X happens (or doesn\u2019t) I\u2019m going to kill myself.\u201d<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIndirect statements could be:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>\u201cI am a burden and people would be better off without me.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cMy life has no purpose. I\u2019ve lost hope.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cNothing will ever change and I give up.\u201d<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-173\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide28-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" \/><\/div>\r\n<h2>Physical Signs<\/h2>\r\nWhat physical signs might indicate someone is contemplating suicide?\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Lack of interest in appearance and hygiene<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Sleep disturbances<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Change or loss of appetite, weight<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Physical health complaints<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-174\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide29-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" \/><\/div>\r\n<h2>Actions<\/h2>\r\nA person\u2019s actions can be a sign that they are considering suicide. Any of the following actions could be a warning sign:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Withdrawing<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Loss of interest in favourite activities<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Misuse of drugs or alcohol<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Reckless behaviour<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Extreme behavioural changes<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Impulsivity<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Self-injury<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-175\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide30-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" \/><\/div>\r\n<h2>Stressful Events or Loss<\/h2>\r\nAsk the group:<em> W<\/em>hat stressful events would likely contribute to a person contemplating suicide?\r\n\r\nWrite down people\u2019s answers, which may include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Academic failure<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Recent relationship breakup<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Financial instability<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Other suicides on or off campus<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Depression or other mental illness<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Family history of mental health events<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Humiliation, bullying, or harassment<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Recent death of family member or friend<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Anniversary date of the death of a family member or friend<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Critical health diagnosis or injury<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe two most common themes are:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Loss<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Change beyond a person\u2019s control<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--examples\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Suicide Contagion<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nSuicide contagion, or copycat suicide, refers to the increase in suicide-related behaviour as a result of inappropriate exposure to or messaging about suicide. There is evidence to show that copycat suicides do occur under some circumstances. If someone is already vulnerable (depressed, anxious, isolated, has previously attempted suicide, or is showing other warning signs), one suicide can trigger another.\r\n\r\nSuicide contagion is most pronounced when someone loses someone close to them. Youth appear to be especially vulnerable. Other conditions that can increase the risk of suicide contagion are high-profile, sensational portrayals of suicide in the media, or inadvertent glorification of a suicide victim. Providing safe and appropriate information about suicide helps to start positive dialogue and reduce the stigma associated with suicide.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"pdf\">\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-176\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide31-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" \/>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nSometimes a person doesn't give any signs that they are having suicidal thoughts before they end their life. This is a very difficult and painful thing to deal with. It brings us back to the importance of resiliency, self-care, and supporting each other.\r\n\r\nHowever, there are things we <em>can<\/em> do. The next section looks at how we can respond to and support someone who may be thinking of suicide.\r\n<h3>Text Attributions<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>This chapter was adapted from <em>Let\u2019s Talk: A Workshop on Suicide Intervention<\/em> by Dawn Schell, University of Victoria.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Media Attributions<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Slide 23: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Trees_and_sunshine.JPG\">Trees and sunshine<\/a> by Richs5812\u00a0is in\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/opendatacommons.org\/licenses\/pddl\/1.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Public Domain<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","rendered":"<div class=\"textbox\">The majority of suicides have been preceded by verbal or behavioural warning signs. This section looks at some of the signs that someone may be considering suicide.<\/div>\n<div class=\"h5p\">\n<div id=\"h5p-4\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-4\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"4\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"BCcampus, Let\u2019s Talk About Suicide: Raising Awareness and Supporting Students (Observing and Recognizing the Signs)\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>These slides are available for use with this section of the presentation. For information about downloading presentation slides, see <a class=\"internal\" href=\"\/suicideawareness\/front-matter\/introduction\/\">Introduction<\/a>.<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-226\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide23.jpg\" alt=\"slide: recognizing signs\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" \/><\/div>\n<h1>Signs That Someone Is Contemplating Suicide<\/h1>\n<p>There are thoughts, feelings, physical effects, actions, and events that are common to a person\u2019s experience and may give us clues to the possibility of suicide.<\/p>\n<p>We need to be observant and notice these things, which by themselves may not be definitive indicators but will give us valuable clues to probe further. Remember:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You already have these skills.<\/li>\n<li>Noticing the signs is the starting point.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-169\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide24-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide24-1.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide24-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide24-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide24-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide24-1-65x37.jpg 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide24-1-225x127.jpg 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide24-1-350x197.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/div>\n<h2>Thoughts<\/h2>\n<p>What are possible thoughts that people who are contemplating suicide might be having?<\/p>\n<p>They may be thinking:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>I can\u2019t do anything right.<\/li>\n<li>I just can\u2019t take it anymore.<\/li>\n<li>I can\u2019t carry on like this.<\/li>\n<li>I wish I were dead.<\/li>\n<li>People will be better off without me.<\/li>\n<li>No one can do anything to help me.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-170\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide25-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide25-1.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide25-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide25-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide25-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide25-1-65x37.jpg 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide25-1-225x127.jpg 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide25-1-350x197.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/div>\n<h2>Feelings<\/h2>\n<p>If you hear a student say they feel helpless, hopeless, or worthless, these are red flags that they may be thinking about suicide. They may also be feeling angry, guilty, lonely, or sad.<\/p>\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-171\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide26-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide26-1.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide26-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide26-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide26-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide26-1-65x37.jpg 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide26-1-225x127.jpg 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide26-1-350x197.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/div>\n<p>People may feel ambivalent about dying. There is a huge difference between wanting to die and not wanting to live. Suicidal thoughts often come when pain exceeds a person\u2019s resources.<\/p>\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-172\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide27-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide27-1.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide27-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide27-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide27-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide27-1-65x37.jpg 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide27-1-225x127.jpg 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide27-1-350x197.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/div>\n<h2>Statements<\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes a person will make statements about their intention.<\/p>\n<p>Direct statements could be:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cI\u2019m going to end it all.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cI\u2019d be better off dead.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cIf X happens (or doesn\u2019t) I\u2019m going to kill myself.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Indirect statements could be:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cI am a burden and people would be better off without me.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cMy life has no purpose. I\u2019ve lost hope.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cNothing will ever change and I give up.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-173\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide28-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide28-1.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide28-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide28-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide28-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide28-1-65x37.jpg 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide28-1-225x127.jpg 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide28-1-350x197.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/div>\n<h2>Physical Signs<\/h2>\n<p>What physical signs might indicate someone is contemplating suicide?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lack of interest in appearance and hygiene<\/li>\n<li>Sleep disturbances<\/li>\n<li>Change or loss of appetite, weight<\/li>\n<li>Physical health complaints<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-174\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide29-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide29-1.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide29-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide29-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide29-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide29-1-65x37.jpg 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide29-1-225x127.jpg 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide29-1-350x197.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/div>\n<h2>Actions<\/h2>\n<p>A person\u2019s actions can be a sign that they are considering suicide. Any of the following actions could be a warning sign:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Withdrawing<\/li>\n<li>Loss of interest in favourite activities<\/li>\n<li>Misuse of drugs or alcohol<\/li>\n<li>Reckless behaviour<\/li>\n<li>Extreme behavioural changes<\/li>\n<li>Impulsivity<\/li>\n<li>Self-injury<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-175\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide30-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide30-1.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide30-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide30-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide30-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide30-1-65x37.jpg 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide30-1-225x127.jpg 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide30-1-350x197.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/div>\n<h2>Stressful Events or Loss<\/h2>\n<p>Ask the group:<em> W<\/em>hat stressful events would likely contribute to a person contemplating suicide?<\/p>\n<p>Write down people\u2019s answers, which may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Academic failure<\/li>\n<li>Recent relationship breakup<\/li>\n<li>Financial instability<\/li>\n<li>Other suicides on or off campus<\/li>\n<li>Depression or other mental illness<\/li>\n<li>Family history of mental health events<\/li>\n<li>Humiliation, bullying, or harassment<\/li>\n<li>Recent death of family member or friend<\/li>\n<li>Anniversary date of the death of a family member or friend<\/li>\n<li>Critical health diagnosis or injury<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The two most common themes are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Loss<\/li>\n<li>Change beyond a person\u2019s control<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--examples\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Suicide Contagion<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>Suicide contagion, or copycat suicide, refers to the increase in suicide-related behaviour as a result of inappropriate exposure to or messaging about suicide. There is evidence to show that copycat suicides do occur under some circumstances. If someone is already vulnerable (depressed, anxious, isolated, has previously attempted suicide, or is showing other warning signs), one suicide can trigger another.<\/p>\n<p>Suicide contagion is most pronounced when someone loses someone close to them. Youth appear to be especially vulnerable. Other conditions that can increase the risk of suicide contagion are high-profile, sensational portrayals of suicide in the media, or inadvertent glorification of a suicide victim. Providing safe and appropriate information about suicide helps to start positive dialogue and reduce the stigma associated with suicide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pdf\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-176\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide31-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide31-1.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide31-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide31-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide31-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide31-1-65x37.jpg 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide31-1-225x127.jpg 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/348\/2021\/07\/Slide31-1-350x197.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Sometimes a person doesn&#8217;t give any signs that they are having suicidal thoughts before they end their life. This is a very difficult and painful thing to deal with. It brings us back to the importance of resiliency, self-care, and supporting each other.<\/p>\n<p>However, there are things we <em>can<\/em> do. The next section looks at how we can respond to and support someone who may be thinking of suicide.<\/p>\n<h3>Text Attributions<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>This chapter was adapted from <em>Let\u2019s Talk: A Workshop on Suicide Intervention<\/em> by Dawn Schell, University of Victoria.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Media Attributions<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Slide 23: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Trees_and_sunshine.JPG\">Trees and sunshine<\/a> by Richs5812\u00a0is in\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/opendatacommons.org\/licenses\/pddl\/1.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Public Domain<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"author":123,"menu_order":1,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-106","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":87,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/106","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/123"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/106\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":177,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/106\/revisions\/177"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/87"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/106\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=106"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=106"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/suicideawareness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}