FAQ: Who considers suicide?

A: Up to 70% of high school students consider suicide. In general, people who are depressed or having trouble coping with their feelings may consider suicide if they don’t have other coping skills. Contrary to popular belief, one group of youth who may consider suicide include high achievers. They may appear well behaved, and a perfectionist, getting good grades and participating in other activities, but they are also very stressed and may have limited skills to deal with their perceived failures.

FAQ: Why do people attempt suicide?

A: People usually consider suicide because they are in unbearable pain and they cannot consider any other viable options. Occasionally, it is a cry for help. Sometimes, people make a suicide attempt without the intention of dying, in order to get people to see how much they hurt. Often teens cannot explain what they are feeling so they need a way to show people they are in pain. All suicide attempts should be taken very seriously because even if they don’t intend to die, they may end up killing themselves anyway.

FAQ: How do I ask if I think someone may be suicidal?

A: Suicide can be a difficult topic to discuss. Some possible conversation starters include:

• Have you ever felt like giving up/throwing it all away?

• Have you been feeling so bad that you have been considering killing yourself?

• That sounds like a lot for any one person to have to go through, has it made you think about killing yourself to escape?

• If you have considered suicide in the past (and many, many people have) you could say something like: “I know when I had a lot going on, I felt like I couldn’t handle it. I thought I’d be better off dead or the world would be a better place without me.”

FAQ: Every time I ask, he tells me that I won’t understand. How can I help him to talk?

A: Acknowledge that you might not understand, but that you would like to try. Also keep in mind that this phrase tends to be used when they can’t explain how they feel as well. Another option is to tell them you understand they don’t want to talk to you, but would they agree to talk about it with someone else, like a counsellor? If they agree, follow-up on it, you can even make the initial call yourself if they want you to.

FAQ: What would you do if a friend was talking about killing him/herself?

A: Would you .....

• Would you laugh? They aren’t really serious you know.

• Would you ignore it because you don’t know what to do?

• Would you tell them not to say things like that or try to point out the “good things”?

Reacting in any of these ways might cause you to miss an opportunity to save a life. Not everyone who talks about suicide goes through with it but they are certainly considering it as an option. Learn more about the risk factors, warning signs and dos and don’ts.

For more information on suicide go to Suicide