Suicide and Mood Disorders
On this page:
Who's at risk?
Warning signs
Get help
Helping somone else
Print resources
Online resources
If you or someone you know is talking about or thinking of suicide, you need to get help now. View our crisis resources page for emergency contact information.
If you are in crisis:
Call emergency services at 911 or your local distress centre
For numbers in your area see www.dcontario.org/centres.html
1. Older adults are at higher risk due to life change and transitions through loss, lifestyle changes due to physical disability, moving from independent living to assisted living and social isolation and abuse.
Warning Signs: appetite changes, lack of participation in social events, signs of abuse and neglect
2. Young people are at higher risk due to family and school pressures, major life changes and hormone changes, bullying and sexual orientation issues.
Warning Signs: eating disorders, deliberate self harm, withdrawal from normal activities, exceptional and extreme mood swings, perfectionistic behaviour or extreme self critical behaviour.
Facts about Suicide:
Thoughts of suicide are a common symptom of mood disorders.
It is estimated that 60% of suicides are carried out by individuals suffering from a depressive illness.
50 to 80% of seniors who commit suicide have a history of major depression.
Women are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than men but men are more likely to die by suicide.
3. People who have recently had a major loss or life change are at higher risk due to grief that changes to depression that lasts for several weeks.
Warning Signs: major changes in attitude, changes in eating or sleeping habits, loss of energy or loss of interest in things that were once enjoyed.
4. People who are recovering from an episode of depression, or who have a history of suicide attempts, or who have just been released from hospital are especially vulnerable.
Depression and suicide
Most people who are depressed do not commit suicide. But having depression increases someone's risk for suicide or suicide attempts. It is not true that people who talk about suicide do not attempt it. Suicidal thoughts, remarks, or attempts are ALWAYS SERIOUS.
if you or someone you know is talking about or thinking of suicide, you must get help IMMEDIATELY. Don't keep it a secret .
Warning signs that someone may be considering suicide
- Unbearable feelings: depression can cause extreme feelings of hopelessness, despair and self-doubt. The more acute the feelings the higher the suicide risk.
- Putting affairs in order: making final plans, preparing wills or life insurance or arranging for the family's welfare.
- Rehearsing suicide: seriously discussing one or more specific suicide methods, purchasing weapons, and collecting large quantities of medication or rationalizing suicide as a viable option.
- Drug or alcohol abuse: intoxication may cause impulsive behaviour and make the person more likely to act on suicidal thoughts.
- Isolation: cutting off friendships and social connections.
- Sudden sense of calm: someone with an active mood disorder who has just passed an episode's lowest point and is on the way to recovery suddenly appears calm and settled in such a way that is not in keeping with their state of recovery.
Personal voices
" The pain of my depression made living every day agonizing. I just didn't want to carry on. I couldn't see how my life was of use to anyone; I felt like I was such a burden and that my family would be better off without me. Now that I am getting treatment, I understand how wrong I was but at the time it was all I could see. Now I want to live and watch my kids grow up. I know how much they need me."
(Vanessa, 41)
Get help if you're feeling suicidal
- Call your doctor or other health professional.
- Keep in contact with trusted friends.
- Make a "Plan for Life" and promise yourself that you will follow it when you have suicidal thoughts.
- Give a copy of your "Plan For Life" to your family and friends.
- Learn to recognize the symptoms of suicide.
- Don't be ashamed. Remember feelings are not facts. Suicidal feelings are a symptom of your illness. You need help and support to get through them, but you will get through them.
What you can do to help someone who's suicidal:
- Provide validation and offer concrete support.
- Call the Distress Centre (for local numbers see http://www.dcontario.org/centres.htm) or crisis line in your area.
- Express understanding and concern.
- Tell the person what specific behaviours are worrying you.
- Let them know that it's not their fault, that they don't need to be ashamed.
- Let the person know that their life is important to you and to others.
- Keep your role in perspective. You can't support someone by yourself. Get help.
- If the person is hospitalized make regular visits or calls.
- Support the person during recovery and support them in staying on track with their treatment plan
- How I Stayed Alive When My Brain Was Trying to Kill Me: One Person's Guide to Suicide Prevention by Susan R. Blauner. HarperCollins, 2002.
- Making Sense of Suicide: An In-Depth Look at Why People Kill Themselves by David Lester. Charles Press, 1997.
- Night Falls Fast : Understanding Suicide by Kay Redfield Jamison. Vintage, 2000.
- Preventing Youth Suicide: A Handbook for Educators & Human Service Professionals by Marcia L. McEvoy and Alan W. McEvoy . Learning Publications, 1994.
- Suicide The Forever Decision: For Those Thinking About Suicide, and for Those Who Know, Love, or Counsel Them by Paul G. Quinnett. Crossroad Classic, 1987.
- The Suicide of My Son: A Story of Childhood Depression by Trudy Carlson . Benline Press, 1995.
Suicide Information & Education Centre
If you are feeling suicidal or are concerned about someone who is suicidal, go to www.suicideinfo.ca and select information.
Suicide & Suicide Prevention (at Dr. Ivan's Depression Central)
www.psycom.net/depression.central.suicide.html
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - Understanding Depression
http://www.camh.net/About_Addiction_Mental_Health/Mental_Health_Information/Depressive_Illness/index.html
Bereaved Families of Ontario
www.bereavedfamilies.net
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