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Talk
to your student. If you have
noticed any of the signs discussed here, do your best to encourage your
student to talk to someone they trust about their feelings and what is
bothering them.
If
you think your student is seriously depressed, do not panic.
Professional help is available for the student and there family.
Talk
to the students other teachers to see if they have also noticed changes in
behaviour and mood. Talk to the
students parents, and openly talk about what you have seen.
Many
school boards have professional councilors on staff.
The school counselor may be able to refer the student and their family
to a group counseling session.
Suicide
is about escape. Someone who
thinks seriously about suicide is experiencing pain that is so crushing, they
feel that only death will stop it.
Most
people consider suicide at some time in their life.
There is nothing wrong with having these thoughts, or with
acknowledging them. It is when
these thoughts begin to take shape as plans that there is cause for alarm.
Being
depressed, while struggling with the challenges and pressures of being young,
can create suicidal feelings.
Warning
signs can be very subtle. They
can also be as obvious as someone saying, “You won’t be seeing me any
more.” Here are some common
warnings signs:
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Sudden change in behaviour (for better or worse)
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Withdrawal from friends and activities, lack of interest
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Increased use of alcohol and other drugs
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Recent loss of a friend, family member or parent, especially if they died by suicide.
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Conflicting feelings or a sense of shame about being gay or straight.
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Mood swings
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Preoccupation with death, giving away valued possessions
- Talk of suicide
- Making a plan
- Writing or drawing about suicide
- “Hero worship” of people who have died by suicide
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Remember, there is
no ultimate list of warning signs. It
may be right to be concerned about someone simply because their behaviour is out
of character. Sudden shifts in a
person’s attitude or actions can alert friends to potential problems.
Don’t be afraid
to mention the word or topic of suicide in your classroom.
Talking about suicide openly does not increase the risk.
Once the topic is there you can help by:
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Really listening, without judging
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Not challenging, or becoming angry and shocked
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Finding ways to break through the silence and secrecy
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Show the students where they can go for help
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Help them see positive possibilities in their future
No one can solve
another person’s problems. But
sympathy and support can help; knowing that someone else has faced similar tough
times and survived can help a suicidal person see a light at the end of a very
dark tunnel.
