Suicide Prevention Month: How to Spot the Signs and Support Someone in Crisis

In Canada, about 4,500 people die by suicide each year, and more than one million others struggle with self-harm, suicide attempts, suicide plans or serious thoughts of ending their life. These figures are concerning, and they remind us how important it is to strengthen support and prevention efforts.

September is Suicide Prevention Month—an important reminder of the public health crisis affecting our communities and the vital role each of us can play. Whether or not you know someone who’s struggling, the information below can help you recognize the signs, offer support and connect someone to life-saving help.

Spot the signs of someone who may be struggling

Recognizing the warning signs is a vital way to potentially save a life. Recognizing the warning signs is a vital way to potentially save a life. These indicators are commonly remembered using the acronym IS PATH WARM, which highlights 10 possible signs that someone may be at risk of suicide:

I – Ideation: Talking or writing about suicide or wanting to die
S – Substance abuse: Heavily drinking or using drugs
P – Purposelessness: Expressing that life has no meaning or purpose
A – Anxiety: Severe anxiety, agitation or inability to cope
T – Trapped: Feeling there is no way out of a situation
H – Hopelessness/helplessness: Believing things will never get better
W – Withdrawal: Avoiding friends, family or usual activities
A – Anger: Rage, irritability or inability to control anger
R – Recklessness: Engaging in risky or dangerous behaviours
M – Mood changes: Sudden shifts in mood, from extreme sadness to sudden calm

If you recognize these signs, it’s an opportunity to check-in and intervene.

What you can do if you believe someone may be thinking about suicide

An important step you can take is talking—and most importantly, listening—to someone with compassion and without judgment. The Suicide Crisis Hotline notes that talking about suicide does not increase risk. In fact, asking directly can reduce distress and feelings of isolation.

Here’s what you can do:

•  Ask directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?”
•  Actively listen: Let them share without interruption or judgment.
•  Keep them safe: Stay with them if there’s immediate risk; remove objects that could cause harm.
•  Offer resources: Suggest crisis lines, a doctor’s appointment or reaching out to supportive friends/family.
•  Make a plan: Help create a short-term safety plan and encourage long-term supports such as counselling.
•  Call 9-1-1: If there is immediate danger, call emergency services right away.

Remember: you cannot “fix” someone’s problems. What you can do is listen, validate their feelings and connect them with professional help.

Who’s most at risk?

Suicide can affect anyone. But some groups face higher risk. The Government of Canada reports that middle-aged men are at the highest risk of dying by suicide, while young women aged 10 to 19 experience the highest rates of hospitalization for self-harm.

Research also shows that individuals under the age of 65 with lower levels of education and who have never been married face higher risk. The Government of Canada has also found that people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, plans and attempts compared to heterosexual and cisgender individuals.

Crisis support resources

If someone is in immediate danger, always call 9-1-1. If there isn’t immediate danger, here are professional resources that can help:

•  Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 9-8-8, or visit 988.ca
•  ConnexOntario: Call 1-866-531-2600, or visit connexontario.ca
•  Kids Help Phone: Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
•  SOAR Community Services (Brantford): Call 519.759.7188
•  COAST (Hamilton): Call 905.972.8338

You are not alone

You can’t solve someone’s struggles for them—but you can show empathy, listen without judgment and encourage them to connect with professional help.

At Willowbridge Community Services, we believe everyone deserves safe, inclusive and affirming counselling. We offer counselling services for children, youth, adults, couples and families. If you or someone you love is struggling, we’re here to help. Learn more at willowbridge.ca/counselling-services.

Sources
World Health Organization. Suicide. who.int/health-topics/suicide. Accessed August 2025.
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention. Research and statistics. https://suicideprevention.ca/im-concerned-about-someone/. Accessed August 2025.
Government of Canada. Key statistics: Suicide, self-harm, and suicide-related behaviours in Canada. https://health-infobase.canada.ca/mental-health/suicide-self-harm/. Accessed August 2025.
Government of Canada. Suicide in Canada: Key statistics. canada.ca. Accessed August 2025.
9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Hotline. Facts about suicide. https://988.ca/understanding-suicide/facts-about-suicide. Accessed August 2025.