Words Matter - How to Talk About Suicide (Article)

Increased awareness of mental health issues enhances the likelihood of assisting individuals facing challenges related to mental illnesses. Yet many individuals feel uncertain about how to navigate discussions surrounding suicide or mental health due to the sensitivity and complexity of these topics. The Canadian Association for Mental Health's article, Words Matter, was written to help people feel more comfortable discussing mental health. Choosing the right words and phrases can have an empowering, positive effect and avoid stigmatization. This article provides helpful guidelines to help people navigate these crucial—and potentially life-saving—conversations.

Read the Article

Additional Resources:

Language Matters--Safe Language and Messages for Suicide Prevention (Public Health Agency of Canada) (PDF)

Tips for Communicating about Suicide (Alberta Health Services) (PDF)

Learning how to talk about suicide in a hopeful, respectful way has the power to save lives.

Toolkit for People Who Have Been Impacted by a Suicide Attempt

Feeling overwhelmed, suicidal, need someone to listen

or need to find out how you can help someone you care about?

Please see Crisis Services

Parents to Parents: After Your Child's Suicide Attempt (Video)

By zerosuicide.edc.org • February 11, 2025

Parents to Parents: After Your Child's Suicide Attempt is a video resource designed to support parents navigating the aftermath of a child's suicide-related crisis.

After a Suicide: A Guide for Veterinary Workplaces

May 16, 2024

Created by experts in veterinary medicine, suicide prevention, and survivors of suicide loss, After a Suicide: A Guide for Veterinary Workplaces provides best practices for immediate response to a suicide, advice on helping the community grieve and cope over time,

Postvention--Supporting People After a Suicide Attempt or Death (Guide)

January 23, 2024

Together to Live by the Centre for Suicide Prevention has created an online guide, Postvention--Supporting People After a Suicide Attempt to Death, as a resource to assist communities in developing a suicide postvention response. This online resource contains planning guides,

Parents to Parents: After Your Child's Suicide Attempt (Video)

By zerosuicide.edc.org • February 11, 2025

Parents to Parents: After Your Child's Suicide Attempt is a video resource designed to support parents navigating the aftermath of a child's suicide-related crisis.

After a Suicide: A Guide for Veterinary Workplaces

May 16, 2024

Created by experts in veterinary medicine, suicide prevention, and survivors of suicide loss, After a Suicide: A Guide for Veterinary Workplaces provides best practices for immediate response to a suicide, advice on helping the community grieve and cope over time,

Guidelines for Sharing Experiences with Suicide (Guide)

January 19, 2024

For someone impacted by a suicide attempt or loss, telling their story can be cathartic. However, when considering telling the story publicly, it's critical to determine if the story will be safe for others to hear. Created by the Centre for Suicide Prevention, Guidelines for Sharing Experiences with Suicide is a guide for

< Older Post

Newer Post >