Suicide Prevention

There are both situational and biological roots that can lead a person to consider suicide. Sometimes life can feel overwhelming. There is so much going on and some of it is very difficult to deal with. Not getting a promotion, losing a job, failing a big test, being bullied at work or school, a break-up, and pressure to succeed, belong and fit-in – it can all build up and, for some people, it can seem like things aren’t going to get better.

Additional factors such as substance use, childhood trauma or other forms of trauma, distress, depression and serious physical illness can feel overwhelming and some people feel unable to cope. These feelings can lead to suicidal thoughts or actions.

Most people who are thinking about killing themselves drop hints or act in different ways that can indicate something is wrong.

  • Loss of interest in family, friends, job, school or hobbies
  • Not doing well in class, missing work, skipping classes or having problems concentrating
  • Taking more risks
  • Using more drugs or alcohol
  • New or increased self-harm behaviour
  • Are more angry, their mood changes quickly or they’re in a “flat” mood
  • More fighting with family, friends or colleagues
  • Withdrawal from family, friends and social activity
  • Giving away (or throwing away) their favourite things
  • Dark art, poetry or writing
  • Saying things like “Everyone will be better without me”, “I wish I were dead” or “I just can’t take it anymore”
  • They eat or sleep a lot more or a lot less.
  • They don’t take as much time to look good, do their hair or dress nicely, or change their appearance
  • Complaining about not feeling well, such as stomach aches, headaches, fatigue, etc.
  • Putting themselves down or having a hard time accepting compliments
  • Talking about death or suicide, making jokes about suicide like “You’ll miss me when I’m gone”

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women from adolescence to middle age. In response to societal stigma and negative stereotypes about mental illness, people often conceal symptoms and don’t seek treatment.

We encourage people to be open. Don’t be afraid to talk about mental health and specifically suicide. People do not become more suicidal by talking about it and suicide is not an “idea” you can plant in someone’s head. Individuals are often relieved to be able to talk about how they feel and what they’re going through.

Learn More

Family information and support groups about mental illnesses are offered regularly during evening hours and are open to the general public. The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre’s Patient and Family Resource Centre has a variety of information that provide a better understanding of mental illnesses and how to manage them.

If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a life-threatening situation, call 911 immediately. If you need urgent medical attention go to your nearest hospital.

There are also a number of local and confidential places to phone. No matter what the problem, you can talk to someone who understands and who wants to help you.

Adults in Crisis

For Youth and Students in Crisis

  • Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa 27/7 crisis line: 613.260.2360, 1.877.377.7775 (toll free for Eastern Ontario). Help may include:
    • Supportive listening
    • Immediate crisis counseling on the phone
    • Information on resources and service providers in your community
    • Referrals to child and youth service providers in your community
    • A home-based intervention (in Ottawa only)
    • Short-term follow-up service
  • Kids Help Phone Line: 1.800.668.6868
  • Ottawa Distress Centre: 613.238.3311

You have made the right choice to look for help. We hope you will contact someone right away.

Additional Resources

If someone close to you has died by suicide

This is not your fault, no matter what you may think or how you may feel. Sadly, one of the toughest things to cope with after a loss to suicide is a feeling of “What did I miss?” and “I should have, could have, would have…”

Be kind to yourself. Remember that you did the best you could with what you knew at the time. It is normal to feel guilty or to blame yourself, but you are not to blame.

Something positive can come of this loss. Learn from it and reach out to others. Talk about mental health and wellness, learn more about suicide prevention and help reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues and suicide. You may not have been able to prevent this loss, but you can take the difficult learning from it to help make your community safer from suicide in the future.

You are not alone in your loss, and you can get help. Bereaved Families of Ontario Ottawa Chapter (www.bfo-ottawa.org, 613.567.4278) have support groups to help people who have lost a loved one to suicide. This is often a very helpful source of support after surviving the loss of someone you care about to suicide.

Community Suicide Prevention Group

Hospitals, school boards, child and youth agencies and services as well as committed individuals and families have joined together as one suicide prevention and intervention group to better coordinate and respond effectively to the needs of youth. The Community Suicide Prevention Group is working together to share our programs and initiatives on suicide prevention, intervention, postvention and research in the community and to identify the major gaps in information and delivery of services.