East Block Building, National Assembly, Bliss Parade Belmopan, Belize

Suicide/ Self-harm

  • Posted by: MinHealthWellness

What is it?

Suicide is not a mental disorder. Suicide attempts are not an expected response to life stresses. Suicide is most often an unfortunate outcome of a mental disorder that is often not recognized or is not treated effectively.

Self-harming is a behaviour that some people use to try and help them solve a problem. It is not a useful method of problem solving and can itself become more of a problem than what it was supposed to help

Warning Signs of Suicide

  • Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself
  • Looking for a way to kill oneself
  • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
  • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
  • Talking about being a burden to others
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
  • Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
  • Sleeping too little or too much
  • Withdrawing or feeling isolated
  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
  • Displaying extreme mood swings

Self-harm

  • Cutting yourself (such as using a razor blade, knife, or other sharp object to cut the skin)
  • Punching yourself or punching things (like a wall)
  • Burning yourself with cigarettes, matches, or candles
  • Pulling out your hair
  • Poking objects through body openings
  • Breaking your bones or bruising yourself