The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) uses the acronym “IS PATH WARM”
to identify the warning signs that a person may be suicidal:
I – Ideation about suicide
S – Substance abuse e.g. alcohol, drugs
P – Purposelessness in life
A – Anxiety or feeling overwhelmed
T – Trapped, feel there is no way out
H – Hopelessness or Helplessness
W – Withdraw from family, friends, activities
A – Anger or rage
R – Recklessness: engaging in unsafe, risky, harmful behaviours
M – Mood change
More subtle signs include:
- hearing voices to kill self,
- Getting affairs in order
- Giving away or selling belongings
- Suddenly happy and enthusiastic after a lengthy period of profound sadness
- Referencing a specific day/date in the future
- Unwillingness to make plans past a specific date
- Inviting family and friends for a social get together
If you have suicidal thoughts:
- Remove self from location e.g. if plan to self harm in bathroom, go to another room
- Call a trusted friend or family member
- Call local crisis centre
- Go to nearest ER department or call 911
If you know someone who is expressing suicidal thoughts:
- Do Not Leave person alone
- Call local crisis centre and/or emergency police services
- Take person to nearest ER department
- If person has self harmed call 911 immediately
Post Care:
- Follow up with Physician or Psychiatrist
- Consider counselling and/or participation in a support group
- Contact Canadian Mental Health Association cmha.com