Share Your Story
Give hope and help to someone else who is struggling
Sharing your story can be very healing and can give hope to someone who is struggling
People from all areas of Canada reach out to the Canada Suicide Prevention Service for help and support.
No two people are the same. No two stories are the same. What unites them is the courage to reach out, the desire to connect, and the will to find help.
“To just listen and hear someone, and be there in that moment with them, is the most powerful thing.”
Kate reached out in her time of crisis and shares her story below.
Below are excerpts from three very typical situations of people who chose to contact us. Some details have been changed to protect their confidentiality.
Canada Suicide Prevention Service user
“It is rare indeed to be listened to and allowed to vent via the method I prefer”
Canada Suicide Prevention Service user
“The Crisis Line saved my life the other day and I am very grateful. I had a breakdown and attempted suicide…The last thing I remember is that I called the new Crisis Line, and I was taken to the hospital. I then got the help that I needed, thank you.”
Canada Suicide Prevention Service user
“I called. They answered. They listened. Suicide is serious and they took me seriously.”
Our highly trained responders have experience assisting people of all ages in crisis or distress situations.
Read examples of cases submitted by our responders…
(extracts edited to protect confidential information)
Young person case summaries:
• A female, less than 12 years, reached out via text. Struggling with thoughts of suicide, low self esteem and sleep issues. Talked through her concerns until she was feeling calmer.
• Person in mid-teens with a family history of suicide and mental illness. She is worried and dealing with anxiety, self injury and eating issues. She is depressed and doesn’t know who or how to talk to someone about it. Came in on chat, talked for over an hour. Very thankful “thank you so much for all of your help”. Left with a set of options to consider and pursue.
• Mid teen, feels like such a disappointment to everyone, has a “perfect” life so can’t tell anyone what is going on, doesn’t want parents to know. Can’t sleep, is tired all the time. Thinking about suicide. Hides sadness behind a smile. Parents had a lot of money but lost it, now she is sleeping on the floor, but no one knows. Talking to a counselor would embarrass her parents. A lot of pressure to have perfect grades. After chatting for over an hour, “thank you so much, I really appreciate your help”
• Young female was sobbing at the start of the call because she was so disappointed with herself for cutting. Responder helped her feel calmer so that we were able to talk more and she shared more about her past. Responder did a lot of validating and empowering and emphasized strengths until person got really comfortable talking. Responder was glad to discuss and review safety planning strategies. Responder noticed a huge difference from the start of the call where the person was at a very high emotional intensity. At the end of the call, both were able to share a laugh.
25-45 Case Summary:
• First responder who was feeling suicidal, had lost colleagues to suicide and struggling with PTSD. Said she had lost hope, doesn’t want to die, but can’t cope with her life anymore. Had cut herself earlier, but was thinking about suicide now. As a first responder, she knew exactly what to do, had attempted and was hospitalized recently. Had a very specific plan for suicide, ended chat abruptly. We were able to dispatch 9-1-1 and she was located by police.
• Male, studied forestry, had an injury and can’t work in the field anymore. Has school debt and now has to work in a store where the pay is low. Interviews for jobs but never has enough experience or study to get the job. Can’t afford to go back to school, and feels like his worth as a human is measured by money/economy and is very frustrated, feeling stuck. Reaches out via text to talk.
• Male, 30’s, comes in via text, feeling like a burden to family. Struggling with health problems and has been thinking of suicide. Feeling very isolated, only reason he stays alive is his Dad. Doesn’t see much point for living. After talking for a while, decides to try and reach out to a depression support group and end by saying that he is feeling much better.
65+ Case Summary:
• Male, crying, phone call. Doesn’t see the point in living anymore, feels very isolated, can’t cope, and hasn’t been eating properly lately. After talking for over ½ hour, he decided to call both his daughter and doctor. CSPS responder set up a follow-up call to make sure that he had carried through with help. When we called back out later that day, the daughter had spent the afternoon with him, he did call his doctor and is feeling less overwhelmed. He was very appreciative of the follow-up call.
• Female, has been researching the right medication with which to overdose and end her life. Stated that her life has been full of disappointments. After talking for a bit, she was feeling better, less down, and is going to explore the idea of getting a pet to help with her loneliness.