Suicide is a complex issue and always has more than one cause. The pain someone is feeling may not be obvious, but most suicidal people show some signs that they are thinking about suicide. You might notice these signs in conversations, through their actions, or in how they act on social media. People who are thinking about suicide do not want to die, they just want the pain they are feeling to stop and are unable to see any other options. If you observe one or more of these warning signs, especially if the behavior is new, or has caused a negative change in your loved one’s life, it may be time to reach out to them.
Call 911 or contact PACT at 780-830-5700 immediately if someone is:
Starting the conversation about suicide with a loved one is one of the most difficult things to do. It will also be the most important thing you can do in this moment. This is not an easy conversation to have but there are a few steps that will make it little less difficult.
Visit our How to Help a Friend or Loved One page to learn what to say.
Suicide is preventable. There are a number of things that can help protect against suicide. These are called protective factors.