Note: this article will deal with many tough topics, suicide being the main one. If you or someone you know is struggling, there are immediate supports and resources available.
There are a lot of things we don't want to talk about but that we should talk about, and one of those things is suicide. It's easy to talk about the good things happening in our lives; the wins, the fun parts and the high points, but it's not as easy to talk about the hard parts and the low points. With Suicide Prevention Week coming up, it felt like the right time to reach out to someone in our community who could provide insight into why we should talk more about suicide.
I was able to connect with Jenna, a University of Calgary student studying in the social worker program and completing a practicum student at U of A in Wellness Supports. She taught me about the nuanced struggles students face, how we can encourage talking about suicide and how to look out for those in our community who might be struggling. I hope that our conversation will encourage others to talk about this issue (and if you are already talking about it, thank you!), look out for each other and support our community.
What are the facts on suicide at the U of A?
It's crucial to know that people with suicidal ideation often don't keep it to themselves. Studies show that numerous warning signs precede suicidal behaviour. In the National College Health Assessment in 2019, 13.7% of U of A student respondents shared they had thoughts of suicide.
But, suicidal thoughts are often short-term and situation-specific. They aren't permanent, and a person may not feel that way forever. Suicidal thoughts do not equal a suicide attempt. There's a lot of room for hope, help and intervention.
Suicide affects a spectrum of people — it affects every race, gender expression, culture, age, sexuality, religion, education level and relationship status — that's every single person on earth. This means it's on all of us to look out for one another for potential indicators of concern.
What should you look out for if you have concerns about a friend?
Common early warning signs, what we call in social work — Indicators of Concern — are when you notice deteriorating mental, physical and social health. It might be related to stress from midterms, a significant life change or even having suicidal thoughts. It's hard to tell if someone isn't doing well since they may not realize it themselves.
Things to look out for include:
- A classmate repeatedly missed class and isn't responding to messages
- A friend is placed on academic probation and does not want to reach out for support from family
- A coworker feeling financially stressed, increasing their stress levels by falling behind in school to go to work
The indicators of concern are not definitive proof of suicidal intent, but they may indicate that a person is struggling and in need of support. The heart behind noticing the indicators of concern is showing care to the people in your life. If you see drastic changes in a person from their original baseline, speak up and reach out!
How can we start talking about suicide? It's scary, so how can we get comfortable when reaching out to a friend?
For most people, tough conversations give them the ick. It's okay to feel uncomfortable or even awkward while speaking to someone about their mental health and potential suicide ideation. A common myth is speaking about suicide will increase suicide — rather, asking about suicidal thoughts may save a life. It showcases your bravery and demonstrates that you're a caring person who can discuss tough topics. Even if you are wrong about the person's suicidality, you've opened the lines of communication for the future.
I encourage everyone to check out these free classes from Wellness Supports: Community Helpers, QPR, and How to Have a Supportive Conversation. (You get a certificate which looks snazzy on the resume) .
We talk a lot about self-care. How do you recommend we check in with our mental health?
It's important to apply the indicators of concern to yourself. If we can have tough conversations with others, we can take the time to check in with ourselves. I ask myself these questions to see how I am doing. I like writing these down; I find it's better to evaluate where I'm at on paper.
- How do you know when your mental health isn't at its best? What falls out of your life? (hygiene, eating habits and sleep are all common responses)
- When life is hard, who or what do you turn to for support?
- What does life look like when things are good? What is in your life when it's good?
- Behaviour is a language, so what are your behaviours telling you?
For me, as an extrovert, my own personal indicator of concern is when I am not in touch with people or taking several days to respond to a text I've seen. There are times when I've genuinely forgotten to reply to a text, but more often than not, I don't have the emotional capacity to respond for a few days. I have a standard reply that I can directly copy and paste, which states, "Hey, I'm going through a busy/tough/stressful season and I'll reply when I get the chance. Thanks for understanding!"
When life is good, one rhythm I incorporate is journaling. Journalling is like free therapy and helps you release whatever has built up over the day. I find joy in seeing my own journey unfold through my old journal entries.
The U of A offers Counselling and Clinical Services and has a team of Wellness Supports Social Workers that can help you, too.
Do you have any final thoughts on how we can help prevent suicide on campus?
Suicide prevention isn't as scary or overwhelming as you think it is. It's the little actions which cause big ripples and change suicidality on campus! Prioritize your social connection to combat loneliness and isolation and protect your mental health. Now, you're equipped to break the silence about suicide and foster a campus culture that's as resilient as it is vibrant!
