Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.
Last week, we looked at suicide, and the two biggest warning signs we should all keep an eye out for:
- Someone thinking about or talking about suicide
- Someone having a plan for suicide
But there also more subtle signs that someone is at risk of suicide, including:
- Withdrawal from family, friends or activities
- Feeling like there’s no purpose in life or reason for living
- Increasing substance use, like drugs, alcohol and inhalants
- Feeling trapped or that there’s no other way out of a situation
- Feeling hopeless about the future or feeling like life will never get better
- Talking about being a burden to someone or about being in unbearable pain
- Anxiety or mood changes, such as anger, sadness or helplessness
If you sense any of these behaviours, take the time to listen and show concern, talk honestly, and connect them with the help they need. It’s better to take the extra time and step than to lose someone you care about.
***Remember: if someone you know is considering suicide or has already created a suicide plan and you sense it’s an emergency situation, act immediately and call 911. And if you’re contemplating this yourself, call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 833-456-4566.***
ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program is helping more than 75 companies and 7,000+ construction professionals better understand mental health. The program is free for ICBA members — see icba.ca/wellness.