SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS IS PATH WARM Prepared For

SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS IS PATH WARM Prepared For Williams Lake Suicide and Sudden Death Committee 2017 In Partnership with Axis Family Resources, Big Brothers &Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, Canadian Mental Health Association, Cariboo Friendship Society, Denisiqi Services Society, Interior Health Authority, MCFD & CYMH, SD 27, Three Corners Health and RCMP Victim Services

SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS…

IS PATH WARM – WARNING SIGNS I – IDEATION What does this mean? ? Ø When someone is thinking about suicide Ø When someone jokes and/ or talks about wanting to die Ø When they threaten suicide Ø When someone deliberately hurts themselves ie) cutting themselves or what professionals like to call self harming behavior Ø NOTE: Self Harming behavior in adolescence is a mental health concern that should be discussed and/or reported to/with professionals. It is most often not associated with wanting to end your life. However, self harming behavior is an indicator of some internal pain they are facing and would benefit from support services. Some one could die due to the self-inflicted injury. Ø If they have attempted suicide before

IS PATH WARM – WARNING SIGNS • S = Substance use ØProblems with alcohol consumption ie) binge drinking, blacking out ØUsing prescription medications(not prescribed by a doctor as treatment) or illegal substances such as marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, Methamphetamine, oxycodone, fentanyl, LSD, MDMA, Ecstasy and many more. ØThis is sometimes used as a form of self medication, but it only makes a person feel worse after the substance is out of their system.

IS PATH WARM - WARNING SIGNS • P = Purposelessness ØFeeling like there is no purpose in life ØFeeling like there are no reasons for living ØLack of goals such as short, medium or long term planning ØNot looking forward to anything that the future may hold

IS PATH WARM – WARNING SIGNS • A – Anxiety ØFeeling intense anxiety, worries or fears ØFeeling overwhelmed ØNot able to cope with these overwhelming feelings of anxiety, worries and fears

IS PATH WARM – WARNING SIGNS • T = TRAPPED • Feeling trapped • Or that there is no way out of a situation • That there are no solutions to your current problems or issues

IS PATH WARM – WARNING SIGNS • H = Hopelessness ØFeeling no hope for the future ØFeeling like things will never get better ØThat you feel like you have no control over what is going to happen

IS PATH WARM – WARNING SIGNS • W = Withdrawal ØAvoiding friends and family ØNo engaging in activities that you once enjoyed ie) sport, music, art, dance, food ØSocially isolating yourself – not engaging with anyone in community for example school or after school activities

IS PATH WARM – WARNING SIGNS • A = Anger ØFeeling unreasonable amount of anger ØThis anger could be directed towards others ØOr this anger could be directed inwards about yourself ØAnger about the situation but is deemed unmanageable

IS PATH WARM – WARNING SIGNS • R = Recklessness ØEngaging in risky or harmful activities normally avoided ØSeeking high risk activities such as extreme sport, fighting, sexual encounters or activities, driving under the influence…

IS PATH WARM – WARNING SIGNS • M = Mood changes Ø a significant change in mood ( UP or DOWN) Ø Sudden happiness after prolonged period of depression can indicate that someone has made the decision to die by suicide ØThis may also include giving away personal belongings.

HOW CAN YOU HELP • Remember the ABC’s • A = act now (do not wait) • B = Be supportive and listen • C = Call for help – stay with your friend • Crisis line 1 -888 -353 -2273 • Child and Youth Mental health – 1 -888 -686 -8686 • Kids Help Line 310 -1234

THANKS TO ALL THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WHO GATHERED TOGETHER TO SHARE AND PREVENT SUICIDE AND SUDDEN DEATH IN OUR COMMUNITY • • • Axis Family Resources Big Brothers & Big Sisters Boys and Girls Club Canadian Mental Health Association Cariboo Friendship Society Denisiqi Services Society Interior Health Authority Child and Youth Mental Health Three Corners Health RCMP Victim Services MCFD