Canada will be getting a three-digit number for suicide prevention on November 30, 2023. If you’d like to know more about this, please visit the Government of Canada website. If you are in Canada and need help now, please continue to call 1-833-456-4566 any time, or text 45645 between 4pm and midnight EST.
GET HELP:
UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE:
- Facts & myths
- Protective factors
- Media guidelines
- Suicide-safe language
- Resources near you
GET INVOLVED:
- Suicide First Aid
- Windsor Essex County Suicide Prevention Coalition
- Suicide Awareness Month
- Share Your Story
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, this is a mental health emergency and you are deserving of help:
Call 911 or go to the hospital emergency department.
Crisis Lines:
- Community Crisis Centre (Ages 16+) 24-Hr Crisis Line: 519-973-4435
- Windsor Distress Centre (All Ages) 12pm-12am: 519-256-5000
Texting Service:
- Crisis Text Line (All Ages): 24/7 free texting services. Text “HOME” to 686868
Walk-In Services:
- Windsor Regional Hospital (1995 Lens Ave., Windsor)
- Windsor Regional Hospital (1030 Ouellette Ave., Windsor)
- Erie Shores HealthCare (194 Talbot St. W., Leamington)
The vast majority of people who have thoughts of suicide, or who have attempted suicide, do not die by suicide. Many people can recover from these experiences and live full and meaningful loves.
Many suicidal people indicate their intent either verbally or through changes in behavior.
People who feel suicidal may:
- show a sudden change in mood or behavior
- show a sense of hopelessness and helplessness
- express the wish to die or end their life
- increase substance abuse
- withdraw from people and activities that they previously enjoyed
- experience changes in sleeping patterns
- have a decreased appetite
- give away prized possessions or make preparations for their death (i.e. creating a will)
IF SOMEONE YOU KNOW:
- Threatens suicide
- Talks about wanting to die
- Appears depressed, sad, withdrawn
- Deliberately injures him/herself
- Shows changes in mood, behavior or appearance
- Abuses drugs and/or alcohol
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- Listen to them and take them seriously. Don’t judge or minimize their feelings. Be positive and hopeful, and remember that suicide can be prevented.
- Ask them if they are having thoughts of suicide. Don’t be afraid that you will put the idea in their head. It may be a relief for them to talk about it.
- Ask if they have a plan. Depending on their answer you may want to limit their access to lethal means, such as medication, knives or firearms.
- Let them know help is available and that the cause of their thoughts of suicide can be successfully treated.
- Encourage them to talk about how they are feeling.
- Encourage them to seek help from a doctor or mental health provider, and offer to help with this if they would like.
- Seek support yourself. It is important that you don’t carry this burden alone.
The Windsor Essex County Health Unit Mental Health Profile is available here.