19 Kites of Hope: For Mental Health and Suicide Awareness
In many communities it is taboo to talk about mental illness, addiction and suicide. When these parts of the human experience are hidden and draped in shame, it is difficult to treat them with honesty and compassion. World Suicide Day is a time to provide information, reduce stigma and grieve the people that have been lost.
Myths and Facts about Suicide: Take a Stand Activity
Part of trainings for residence advisors on Canadian and Central Asian campuses, involved seminars on how to respond to students who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts. We often started by exploring myths and truths about suicide. One way to present the Myths and Facts is to play “Take a Stand.” One side of the room is labelled “False” and the other side is labelled “True”. Read a statement and direct participants to move to the side of the room that they think is correct. Ask a couple people on each side to explain their position. Then read the accurate information and discuss.
Here is more information about using the “Take A Stand” activity and how it can be used in different contexts. It gets people out of their seats and physically moving to a position. In this particular context, there are research-based answers to the Myths and Facts about suicide, but this activity can also be used with various controversial topics and it allows people to find themselves on a continuum from “Agree to Disagree” and have opportunities to express their point of view and listen to others’ perspectives.
Mayo Clinic Myths and Warning Signs of Suicide
Suicide is a growing public health crisis. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is the 10th-leading cause of death overall, with more than 47,000 suicides in 2019 in the U.S. It is the second-leading cause of death for people 10–34 and the fourth-leading cause of death for people 35–44.
Even though suicide is not predictable, it can be preventable by assessing social, cultural and environmental risk factors. Myths and misconceptions about mental health shape people’s beliefs and attitudes about suicide, which could be a major barrier to seeking help for themselves and their loved ones.
Here are eight common myths about suicide:
Myth 1: Talking about suicide increases the chance a person will act on it.
Fact: Talking about suicide may reduce, rather than increase, suicidal ideation. It improves mental health-related outcomes and the likelihood that the person would seek treatment. Opening this conversation helps people find an alternative view of their existing circumstances. If someone is in crisis or depressed, asking if he or she is thinking about suicide can help, so don’t hesitate to start the conversation.
Myth 2: People who talk about suicide are just seeking attention.
Fact: People who die from suicide have often told someone about not wanting to live anymore or they do not see the future. It’s always important to take seriously anybody who talks about
feeling suicidal. It’s important to be kind and sensitive, and ask direct questions such as: “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?” “Are you thinking about suicide?” or “Do you have access to weapons or things that can be used as weapons to harm yourself?”
Myth 3: Suicide can’t be prevented.
Fact: Suicide is preventable but unpredictable. Most people who contemplate suicide, often experience intense emotional pain, hopelessness and have a negative view of life or their futures. Suicide is a product of genes, mental health illnesses and environmental risk factors. Interventions targeted to treat psychiatric and substance use illnesses could save lives.
Myth 4: People who take their own lives are selfish, cowards or weak.
Fact: People do not die of suicide by choice. Often, people who die of suicide experience significant emotional pain and find it difficult to consider different views or see a way out of their situation. Even though the reasons behind suicide are quite complex, frequently suicide is associated with psychiatric illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and substance use.
Myth 5: Teenagers and college students are the most at risk for suicide.
Fact: The suicide rate for this age group is below the national average, and suicide risk increases with age. The age group with the highest suicide rate in the U.S is men and women between 45 and 64. Though particular groups may be at higher risk, suicide is a problem among all ages and groups.
Myth 6: Barriers to bridges, safe firearm storage and other actions to reduce access to lethal methods of suicide don’t work.
Fact: Limiting access to lethal means, such as firearms, is one of the simplest strategies to decrease the chances of suicide. Many suicide attempts are a result of impulsive decisions. Therefore, separating someone from a lethal means could provide a person some time to think before doing harm to themselves.
Myth 7: Suicide always occurs without warning.
Fact: There are almost always warning signs before a suicide attempt.
Here are a few common signs:
- Talking about suicide — making statements such as “I’m going to kill myself,” “I wish I were dead” or “I wish I hadn’t been born.”
- Getting the means to take your own life, such as buying a gun or stockpiling pills.
- Withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone.
- Having mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next.
- Being preoccupied with death, dying or violence.
- Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation.
- Increasing use of alcohol or drugs.
- Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns.
- Doing risky or self-destructive things, such as using drugs or driving recklessly.
- Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order when there is no other logical explanation for doing this.
- Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seen again.
- Developing personality changes or being severely anxious or agitated, particularly when experiencing some of the warning signs listed above.
Myth 8: Talk therapy and medications don’t work.
Fact: Treatment can and does work. One of the best ways to prevent suicide is by getting treatment for mental illnesses, such as depression, bipolar illness or substance abuse, and learning ways to cope with problems. Finding the best treatment can take some time, and the right treatment can greatly reduce the risk of suicide.
If a friend or loved one talks or behaves in a way that makes you believe he or she might attempt suicide, don’t try to handle the situation alone:
- Get help from a trained professional as quickly as possible.
The person may need to be hospitalized until the suicidal crisis has passed. - Encourage the person to call a suicide hotline number.
In the U.S., call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to reach a trained counselor. Call 988 and press “1” to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
You’re not responsible for preventing someone from taking their own life, but your intervention may help them see that other options are available to stay safe and get treatment.
SOURCE:
Note: This is an American resource. It is important to brainstorm with your team what suicidal triggers, symptoms and support systems look like within your particular culture and community.
After we had completed suicide awareness sessions, student leaders implemented their learning by helping prepare for World Suicide Day. They created posters and powerpoints about warning signs and created pamphlets that included lists of services and agencies that were available for people to talk to and/or get further assessment and treatment.
On World Suicide Day, they organized a booth in the cafeteria where most of the student body would walk by. They invited everyone passing to take a pamphlet and to write a message of hope on a hand print or ribbon that would be tied to our “Kite of Hope.”
Purpose
This activity brings awareness to the issue of suicide and explores ways to support and refer someone with suicidal thinking.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
- Discuss the warning signs for suicide.
- Read about community resources available for someone who might be suicidal.
- Create a message of hope that they would like to send to people who are struggling with mental health or suicidal thinking,
- Join a community of people who are willing to learn and talk about suicide and fly a kite in solidarity with those who are struggling.
Activity Directions
1. Gather stakeholders: Within your community or organization, gather a group of interested people who can work together to design a public awareness campaign with information about suicide. (This can involve posters, public service announcements, power points that can play on public screens, videos, tik toks, instagram posts and any other messaging system that can reach the minds and hearts of community members).
2. Create a table or booth: On World Suicide Day (or any day that your committee designates), create a colourful, engaging presence in a well trafficked area.
3. Display Kite: Have a kite displayed behind the tables and have coloured paper and markers and ribbons for people to write on. Give them a pamphlet with local resources and warning signs about suicide.
4. Chat with people passing by: Ask if they would be willing to write a message of hope for anyone struggling with suicidal thinking. Attach messages written on ribbons or hand prints to the strings of the kite.
5. Fly or display the kite: At the end of the day, try to fly the kite if possible. If not display it in a public area where people can easily read the messages. Post phone numbers for crisis lines and Mental Health Centers nearby.
World Suicide Day Selkirk College
Facilitation Note:
Materials
- kite
- coloured paper and ribbons
- waterproof markers like sharpies that don’t smudge
- stapler to attach messages to the kite
Resources to Learn More:
World Health Organization: Suicide
Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, B.C.
Living Works: ASIST Applied Skills in Suicide Intervention Training
International Suicide Hotlines