A humanistic approach to suicide prevention and awareness encourages us to slow down, check-in, and have a conversation. The act of checking in with intent can alone make a difference. We all have the skills and ability to do this, there is great value in being present for one another, and fostering space to normalize conversations on mental health and wellness (inclusive of suicide, depression, anxiety, fears, and much more).
Watch the videos below on small talk to see the impact.
Clip #1 demonstrates the power of checking in and how a simple check in can change the course of direction for someone who may be navigating challenging thoughts:
Small Talk Saves Lives - Everyday Small Talk
Clip #2 highlights the impact of small talk for the person who is struggling:
The following content is taken and reformatted from Let’s Talk About Suicide: Raising Awareness and Supporting Students by Dawn Schell, Jewell Gillies, Barbara Johnston, and Liz Warwick is used under a CC BY 4.0 License.
Original Book can be download for free from the B.C. Open Textbook Collection.
Suicide Prevention and Intervention Resources
There are three steps to suicide prevention and intervention that you can use: ORR: Observing and recognizing signs, Responding, and Referring.
Most suicides have been preceded by verbal or behavioral warning signs. Remember, you already have these skills, and noticing the signs is the starting point.
Signs That Someone is Contemplating Suicide
1. Thoughts
2. Feelings
3. Statements
4. Physical Signs
5. Actions
6. Stressful Events or Loss
Sometimes 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. Therefore, it is important that we practice resiliency, self-care, kindness, compassion, and support towards each other.
When we think someone may be suicidal, it is very important that we listen with empathy and without judgment. If you observe clues that lead you to suspect someone may be suicidal, it is important that you check it out in more detail.
It can be difficult to acknowledge clues that seem to indicate that a person you know may be planning to kill themselves. But it can be tragic to disregard them.
• Trust yourself. Believe your suspicions.
• This is about being alert to suicide and being aware.
• The aim is to connect a person with thoughts of suicide to other help.
Note at this point people need to be heard and not judged.
Therefore, it can help to:
• Approach with concerned care
• Understand with empathy
• Recognize and relate with kindness
• Ask with respect
• Lead with hope
• Introduce help in the community
When talking to a student in distress, you will want to look for a natural point in the conversation to mention resources.
If it is not an emergency situation, you can refer the student to supports on and off campus.
What Helps People Recover?
Remember: the most important thing you can do is listen and help connect the person to resources. Knowing that someone cares and that there is help available is what helps people recover.
Having a sense of purpose, hope, belonging, and meaning are essential to recovery. People who are considering suicide have typically lost hope, and they need to be reminded that there is hope.
We invite you to be committed to leading and normalizing mental health, and you can do so by promoting this JIBC, Mental Health and Wellness page.
Feel free to further your understanding of suicide prevention and awareness by exploring open resources offered via BCcampus.
The following content is taken and reformatted from Let’s Talk About Suicide: Raising Awareness and Supporting Students by Dawn Schell, Jewell Gillies, Barbara Johnston, and Liz Warwick is used under a CC BY 4.0 License.
Original Book can be download for free from the B.C. Open Textbook Collection.