Suicide is the tenth highest reason for death amongst
Canadians, according to Statistics Canada. The highest rate of suicide is
amongst Canadian adults aged 40-54, with about 17 suicides per 100,000.
That
number may be a surprise to some, because we focus so much on preventing
suicide amongst teenagers. And the focus is understandable; we expect our
youths to live long full lives. Suicide is the second cause of death for those
aged 15-19, but at a rate of 9, nearly half of our middle-aged Canadians.
While it is important to be aware of the signs of suicide,
it is not just applicable to teenagers, but for all Canadians.
The new acronym that Mental Health Clinicians are using as a
tool to assess for suicide is: “IS PATH WARM.”
Let’s look at what each letter stands for:
Ideation – Warning
signs that are being communicated about the idea of suicide by threating to
hurt/take own life, looking for ways to hurt/kill self, or talking or writing
about it.
Substance Use – An
increase use, or excessive use of drugs and/or alcohol.
Purposelessness – Losing
the sense of purpose or reason for living.
Anxiety – The
anxiety, or agitation, begins to interfere in daily life, such as being unable
to fall or stay asleep.
Trapped – Feeling
stuck and that there is no way out.
Hopelessness – A
loss of hope for the future
Withdrawal – Withdrawing
from friends, family, and usual activities.
Anger – Uncontrollable
anger, rage and/or revenge.
Recklessness – Participating
in life-risky activities without thinking
Mood Changes – Increased,
unexplained dramatic changes in mood.
Discussing suicide is heavy and discouraging. It is
important to listen and respond with empathy.
Recently the author of Love
Warrior, Glennon Doyle Melton, tackled the topic of suicide with a message
of hope: “Pain comes and goes like
clouds. Love is the Sun. If you’re struggling right now, tell the
monster to shut the hell up and listen to me for a minute: You are loved.
“No matter who you’ve hurt, you deserve forgiveness and you
belong to us. There is a place for you here that was created for you before the
world began that no one else on Earth can fill.
“You are a child of God and everything you have ever been or
are or will become has already been approved. Please, please stay. Stay. First the pain, then the rising. You must
stay for the rising.”
If you or someone
you know is struggling with suicide, visit suicideprevention.ca to find
help or support.
