Introduction to Suicide Prevention

Lawyers, judges and law students who have a mental illness have a high risk of suicidal behaviour, suicide attempts and death by suicide. It has been observed that many persons who die by suicide were suffering from clinical depression or bi-polar illness. This may be true for members of the legal profession as well.

For many members of our profession who do suffer a mental illness, there is a complicating or compounding feature of the illness. This unfortunate feature is shame. Many lawyers, judges and law students feel a profound sense of shame and this feature alone raises the risk of death by suicide.

In most cases of lawyer suicide, we see problems and difficulties loading the individual down. For a mind already dealing with the burden of mental illness, these problems and difficulties may become too much and may turn the individual to thoughts of suicide. When one is in this kind of pain, thinking can become narrow and distorted. In this mind set, suicide may seem to be the only viable solution.

Certain signs or behavior have now been identified as indicators of suicidal thinking. These can include the following:

1. A deepening depression or expressions of utter despair or hopelessness. Such feelings may indicate a downward spiral, especially if combined with the use of alcohol or harmful drugs.

2. Pre-suicidal comments or statements. Often suicidal people will actually make suspicious comments about suicide or death or despair or hopelessness. These statements can be missed or even ignored if the listener is confused or embarrassed.

3. Putting affairs in order and making final arrangements. A pre-suicidal person may suddenly finish a Will, give away prized possessions or put their affairs in order for the first time in a long time. Sometimes, they will make direct or even vague statements that they are not going to be around.

4. Unexplained cheerfulness. A suicidal person may suddenly appear cheerful after a long period of being down. Their depression may suddenly be replaced by a strange elevated mood. It seems that a decision to commit suicide can serve to remove the burdens or the perception of the burdens on a suicidal person. Having decided on a solution, the suicidal person may feel a lessening of their pain.

5. Serious risk taking. Driving at high speeds is a perfect example. There are many, many unexplained single occupant car accidents where someone appears to have driven into a barrier or off the road.

6. Other self-destructive behavior. These may include severe bouts of drinking or drug abuse or even walking the winter streets without hat, coat or boots.

"THE GOLDEN QUESTION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION"

Many of us were raised to believe that asking somebody if they are considering suicide will encourage them to commit suicide. Nothing can be further from the truth. The golden question of suicide prevention is:

Have things gotten so bad that
you are thinking of taking your own life?

If the answer is yes, you need to ask the person if they have a plan or a method or a means. If so, try and remove the means, disturb the method and eliminate the plan.

Next, get help!

What Can I Do to Help?

First and foremost, get immediate help to handle the crisis. Telephone a Suicide Crisis Centre, other local community resources, a local hospital or a doctor. In many communities, the most experienced front line suicide workers are the police. Do not hesitate to call them and use their help.

Once the initial crisis has passed, make sure the suicidal person sees a family doctor for a complete physical check including blood work. Anti-depressive medication may be indicated. Referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist should then follow.

Create a network of support for the suicidal person. You want to surround the suicidal person with friends, business colleagues, neighbors and anyone else who will help out on a suicide watch over the person at risk. Everyone should have access to the doctor’s name and any professional counselors or mental health workers who are involved.

Recognition, Intervention and Instilling Hope

What can we do to prevent suicide?

ASK

GET HELP

DON"T WORK ALONE

Some things we can do following a suicide

• Send sympathy cards.
• Go and offer to help.
• Attend the wake, the funeral.
• Share memories.
• Pray
• Ask others to intervene.
• Make casseroles.
• Buy flowers.
• Remember anniversaries.
• Offer comfort.
• Encourage self-care.
• Support advocacy groups.
• Encourage contact with other survivors!