Worried someone you love maybe thinking about suicide?
caregiver support, suicide awareness.
7/23/20266 min read
Suicide remains a significant public health concern in Alberta and across Canada. Hundreds of Albertans die by suicide each year, and many more experience suicidal thoughts or make suicide attempts.Beyond these numbers are thousands of family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbours who are left wondering if there was something they could have done to help. Alberta continues to have a suicide rate that has historically been higher than the Canadian average, highlighting the importance of early recognition, open conversations, and timely access to mental health support.
Every year, hundreds of Albertans lose their lives to suicide, and thousands more struggle silently with thoughts of hopelessness. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death among Canadians aged 15 to 34, reminding us that emotional pain can affect people of any age or background.
Yet there is another group we don't talk about enough—people living with chronic illness.
Living with a chronic medical condition often means more than managing symptoms. It can involve grief, loss of independence, financial stress, chronic pain, fatigue, social isolation, and uncertainty about the future. For individuals receiving dialysis, these challenges are compounded by demanding treatment schedules, dietary restrictions, and the emotional burden of living with kidney failure. Research suggests that approximately one in five people receiving hemodialysis experience suicide risk, highlighting why emotional well-being deserves the same attention as physical health.
These statistics are not meant to create fear. They are meant to remind us that mental health deserves attention just as much as physical health—and that compassionate conversations, early support, and knowing how to recognize warning signs can save lives. It is often their love ones that are the first point of contact, not always health professionals. Additionally, many people are still reluctant to receiving mental health support. This is where you can come in.
The reality is that most people will know someone who struggles with their mental health at some point in their lives. Whether it's a spouse, parent, sibling, friend, coworker, or neighbour, many of us will eventually find ourselves asking:
"How do I help someone I love?"
The good news is that you don't have to be a mental health professional to make a meaningful difference. While you are not responsible for "fixing" another person, your willingness to notice changes, listen without judgment, encourage professional support, and help create a safety plan can be incredibly protective.
If you're worried about someone, trust your instincts. It is always better to have a caring conversation a little too early than to wish you had spoken up sooner.Watching someone you love struggle with their mental health can leave you feeling helpless.
Maybe you've noticed they're withdrawing from family. They're not themselves anymore. They seem overwhelmed, exhausted, or hopeless. Perhaps they've even said things like, "Everyone would be better off without me," or "I just don't want to do this anymore."
Most people don't know what to say in those moments.
They worry they'll say the wrong thing, make things worse, or put an idea into the person's head.
The truth is that asking someone about suicide does not increase their risk of suicide. In fact, asking compassionate, direct questions can help someone feel seen, heard, and less alone.
One of the most effective tools for supporting someone who is struggling is a Personal Safety Plan.
A safety plan is not something reserved only for people who are actively suicidal. It is a collaborative plan that identifies warning signs, coping strategies, supportive people, reasons for living, and steps to take if distress increases. It provides a roadmap for navigating difficult moments before they become a crisis.
Step 1: Learn Their Warning Signs
People rarely go from feeling okay to being in crisis overnight.
Often there are subtle changes first.
These warning signs may include:
Increased irritability or anger
Withdrawing from friends or family
Sleeping significantly more or less
Loss of interest in activities they usually enjoy
Increased alcohol or substance use
Feeling like a burden
Talking about hopelessness
Giving away possessions
Increased anxiety or agitation
Saying goodbye in unusual ways
Some warning signs are physical.
They may clench their jaw, grind their teeth, experience headaches, muscle tension, stomach discomfort, or feel constantly exhausted.
Others are emotional.
Perhaps they become unusually quiet after conflict or express feeling rejected, unloved, or like they don't matter.
Learning these early signs allows you to respond sooner rather than waiting until someone reaches a crisis.
Step 2: Help Them Identify Healthy Coping Strategies
When people are overwhelmed, they often forget the very things that help them feel grounded.
Talk with your loved one about activities that have helped them in the past.
Examples might include:
Going for a walk
Spending time outdoors
Reading
Watching a favourite movie
Gardening
Listening to music
Spending time with a pet
Getting adequate sleep
Practicing slow breathing
Journaling
Attending faith-based activities
Completing a puzzle
Working on a hobby
These strategies won't solve every problem, but they can lower emotional intensity enough for someone to think more clearly.
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Step 3: Explore Their Reasons for Living
When someone is depressed, their brain naturally focuses on pain while filtering out hope.
That doesn't mean hope is gone.
Sometimes it simply needs to be rediscovered.
Gently ask questions such as:
What has helped you keep going until now?
Who depends on you?
What are you most proud of?
What would you still like to experience?
What gives your life meaning?
What brings you even a small amount of peace?
What would people miss about you?
Some people immediately identify their children, spouse, grandchildren, pets, faith, or close friends.
Others struggle to answer.
If that's the case, don't rush them.
Sometimes the first reason for living isn't a person at all.
It may be watching the sunrise.
Working in the garden.
Fishing.
Creating art.
Listening to music.
Being outside.
Reading a good book.
Laughing with a friend.
Hope often begins with small moments before it grows into something bigger.
One meaningful goal can be to gradually broaden someone's reasons for living so their sense of purpose isn't dependent on a single relationship or circumstance.
Step 4: Make the Environment Safer
During times of intense emotional distress, reducing access to potential means of self-harm can save lives.
This might include:
Safely storing or temporarily removing firearms.
Locking up medications.
Limiting access to large quantities of alcohol.
Removing or securing other potentially dangerous items if there is concern.
Sometimes making the environment safer also means reducing emotional stressors where possible.
Perhaps someone spends time with another trusted family member for a few days.
Maybe they take a break from a stressful situation.
Perhaps they simply need someone to stay with them so they don't feel alone.
Step 5: Encourage Professional Support
You do not have to carry this alone.
Encourage your loved one to connect with:
Their family physician
A psychologist
A registered social worker
A counsellor
A psychiatrist
A local mental health clinic
A crisis service in your community
Seeking help is not a sign of weakness.
It's a sign that someone deserves support.
What If They Refuse Help?
This is one of the hardest situations families face.
You cannot force someone to engage in counselling simply because they are struggling.
Continue checking in.
Continue listening without judgment.
Continue reminding them they matter.
Continue inviting them to seek help.
Sometimes hearing the same message from several trusted people over time increases the likelihood that someone will eventually accept support.
Even if they refuse professional help today, your calm, caring presence still matters.
Know When It Is an Emergency
There are situations where waiting is no longer appropriate.
If you believe someone is at imminent risk of harming themselves or someone else, treat it as a medical emergency.
Imminent harm generally means there is reason to believe the person may act in the near future. This may include situations where they:
Have expressed a clear intention to end their life.
Have identified a specific plan.
Have access to the means needed to carry out that plan.
Are preparing for suicide, such as saying goodbye, giving away possessions, or writing a note.
Are unable to agree to remain safe.
Are severely impaired by substances, psychosis, or overwhelming emotional distress and cannot protect themselves.
If you believe someone is at imminent risk:
Call 911 immediately.
Do not leave the person alone if it is safe for you to stay with them.
Remove access to dangerous items only if you can do so safely.
Stay calm, speak in a reassuring manner, and wait with them until help arrives.
If you are ever unsure whether the situation is serious enough, it is better to seek emergency assistance than to hope things improve on their own.
You Don't Need Perfect Words
Many people worry about saying the wrong thing.
What matters most isn't having the perfect response.
It is showing up.
Listen more than you speak.
Avoid trying to immediately solve the problem.
Validate their feelings.
Remind them they are not alone.
Help them reconnect with hope—even if today that hope is as simple as making it through the next hour.
A safety plan isn't about predicting a crisis. It's about preparing for one before it happens.
And sometimes, having a plan can make all the difference.
You Don't Have to Navigate This Alone
Supporting someone through emotional pain can feel overwhelming. If someone you care about is struggling, reaching out for professional guidance can help both of you feel more prepared. Rooted Rowan can assist in developing a personalized safety plan, strengthening coping strategies, identifying protective factors, and connecting your loved one with appropriate resources.
If you're worried about someone, don't wait until the situation becomes a crisis. Early conversations, compassionate support, and timely professional care can make a meaningful difference.