World Suicide Prevention Day – September 10, 2026
Mental health difficulties do not always look like how we imagine them to be or present in obvious ways.
Someone may continue going to work, caring for their family, maintaining relationships and appearing to function perfectly well while privately struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction or overwhelming emotional distress.
Recognizing the warning signs that someone you care about or even yourself may need mental health support can make an important difference.
It is not about diagnosing someone or assuming you know what they are going through.
It is about noticing changes, no matter how subtle, taking concerns seriously, listening to your intuition, and knowing when to approach your loved one and seek professional support.
World Suicide Prevention Day, which takes place on September 10 this year, is an important reminder for us to talk more openly about mental health, suicide prevention and the importance of seeking support early.
If you’re worried about yourself or a loved one, contact our treatment centre in Toronto, Canada, today and speak privately to a member of our professional, compassionate team, who will gladly provide information and support.
Despite how lonely experiencing mental health challenges can feel, you are not alone. We are here to gently guide you toward support options that feel the most helpful and right for you and your needs. Get in touch in confidence today.
We’re here to help.
Contact us today for a no-obligation conversation with one of our professionals.
Warning signs that someone may need mental health support include the following:
Changes in mood or behaviour
One of the first key signs that someone you care about may be struggling with their mental health is a noticeable change from their usual behaviour.
We understand that ‘usual’ can look different from person to person, and we all have our own unique characteristics and personality traits, but again – it’s about noticing what’s different, what’s changed.
Here are some of the key warning signs that someone may be struggling with their mental health:
- Persistent sadness, anxiety or irritability
- Increased anger or emotional sensitivity
- Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
- Unusual agitation or restlessness
- Significant changes in personality or mood
- Becoming increasingly withdrawn from family and friends
These changes do not always mean someone has a mental health disorder.
However, if these symptoms persist or become increasingly disruptive, they may indicate that additional support may be needed.
Behavioural signs
Changes in behaviour can sometimes be an indication that someone is experiencing significant emotional distress or needs additional mental health support.
Remember, no single sign or symptom can tell us what someone is going through, but certain changes are worth taking seriously.
These include:
Pulling away from other people
Someone who once stayed connected with friends, family or activities may gradually become more withdrawn or isolated.
They may stop replying to messages, decline social invitations, or seem increasingly distant.
Sometimes these changes are subtle, with the person remaining physically present while becoming emotionally less engaged.
Noticeable changes in mood
Persistent sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, irritability or agitation can all indicate that someone you care about is struggling.
Changes in sleep, energy or emotional stability may also be significant signs that someone is struggling with their mental health.
Another important consideration is that a sudden shift in mood after a long period of distress should not automatically be seen as improvement without first understanding the underlying reasons for the change.
Research shows that mood improvement before suicide is not uncommon.
This can happen for various reasons such as:
- Relief – some people may experience significant relief once they have decided to end their life, which can result in temporary mood improvement or an uplift in emotions.
- Emotional masking – many mask their true feelings to avoid feeling them too deeply or to avoid judgement or unwanted attention.
- Finality – individuals may express finality in their actions or behaviours in a bid to leave a positive legacy or lasting impression on their loved ones. Â
- Giving away personal items or possessions – you may notice your loved one becoming more generous with their belongings. For instance, they give away prized possessions they once loved or would never ordinarily part with.
- They say goodbye in ways that feel odd or final – perhaps they linger at the front door as they leave, or something feels strange about how they stare at you or hug you as they head toward the car. There’s a strangeness to their behaviour that feels final or off in a way you can’t explain.
It is crucial to recognize these signs and seek professional help and support if someone appears happier or more upbeat than usual after a long period of struggle.
Expressing hopelessness or feeling like a burden
The language an individual uses can offer important clues as to what might be going on internally.Â
It is important to notice specific keywords your loved one might use, which may suggest what they’re experiencing privately but not saying out loud.
For instance, if someone says things like they feel trapped, hopeless, worthless or that others would be better off without them, these statements should absolutely be taken seriously.
Even when expressed casually or indirectly, these comments can reflect significant emotional pain and must not be dismissed or ignored.
Putting affairs in order
As mentioned earlier, unusual efforts to say goodbye, give away meaningful possessions or put personal affairs in order can sometimes be associated with suicidal thinking, particularly when these behaviours are out of character.
These behaviours should be considered alongside any other changes or concerns.
Increasingly risky or self-destructive behaviour
Sudden or escalating risk-taking, reckless behaviour, or actions that put someone’s safety at risk may indicate the individual is struggling with their mental health and may need support.
This can be particularly concerning when it represents a significant change from their usual behaviour.
The important thing is not to look for a single definitive sign or symptom of poor mental health.
It is often the combination of changes, particularly when they are persistent or out of character, that tells us something may be wrong.
If you are concerned about someone you know, starting a calm, direct conversation can be an important first step.
You don’t need to have the answers; sometimes listening without judgement and helping someone connect with appropriate professional support is the most valuable thing you can do.
Changes in sleep, appetite or daily routines
This is a big one, but it’s often overlooked.
Mental health and physical wellbeing are closely connected.
Depression, anxiety, trauma and prolonged stress can affect an individual’s basic routines and structure.
Someone who is struggling may start sleeping much more or less than usual, experience changes in appetite, neglect personal care, or find everyday responsibilities increasingly difficult to manage.
These changes can sometimes be dismissed as stress or tiredness. Looking at the broader pattern is often more useful than focusing on one isolated behaviour or symptom.
Increasing isolation
Withdrawal can be another important warning sign that someone is struggling with their mental health.
Someone may stop responding to messages, avoid social situations, lose interest in activities they once enjoyed or gradually distance themselves from the people around them.
Isolation can become particularly concerning when it is accompanied by hopelessness, significant emotional changes or a sense that life has lost meaning.
Connection matters.
Sometimes a simple, genuine conversation can be the first step towards someone accepting support.
Increased reliance on alcohol or substances
For some people, alcohol or drugs can become a way of coping with difficult emotions, trauma, anxiety or other mental health challenges.
An increase in substance use, changes in drinking or drug-taking patterns, or using substances to manage emotions can be a sign that someone needs additional support.
When mental health and addiction occur together, addressing only one aspect of the problem may not be enough. An integrated approach can help explore the underlying issues while also addressing harmful patterns of substance use.
How we can help
At Centres for Health and Healing, we provide personalized addiction and mental health treatment programs to individuals struggling with dependency and emotional difficulties such as trauma, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Our team provides tailored, integrated treatment to suit your individual needs and unique challenges, offering peer and family support as part of your program.
Treating both addiction and mental health challenges together is pivotal, as both disorders often fuel one another and seeking support early can help you get the best recovery outcome possible.
Expressions of hopelessness
Some warning signs of a mental health crisis are more obvious than others.
For example, someone may talk about feeling trapped, being a burden to others, having no purpose or believing that things will never improve.
The person may also talk about death, suicide or what will happen after they are gone.
Always take these comments seriously.
Canadian public health guidance recommends seeking help when someone is talking about suicide or death, has a plan to end their life, or is showing other significant warning signs.
Importantly, asking someone directly whether they are thinking about suicide does not increase the risk and can create an opportunity for an honest conversation.
When trauma may be part of the picture
Trauma can affect people in very different ways.
Some individuals experience symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress, while others may develop patterns of avoidance, emotional disconnection, dissociation, anxiety, sleep difficulties or increased reliance on substances.
Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, and trauma should not automatically be assumed to be the explanation for every change in behaviour.
However, understanding an individual’s history can be an important part of providing appropriate mental health support.
Trauma treatment in Toronto
Effective treatments for trauma are available in many Canadian treatment centres (including ours) and can include EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), prolonged exposure therapy, and somatic therapies such as breathwork and mindfulness.
This combination of different approaches helps to address the complex and interconnected factors influencing a person’s emotional health and wellbeing.
By considering the full range of an individual’s needs, these approaches ensure that support and care are tailored, comprehensive, and effective.
How to approach someone you are concerned about
It can be incredibly difficult to know what to say when someone appears to be struggling with their mental health.
But remember: you don’t need the right diagnosis or the perfect words to start the conversation.
Start with what you have noticed:
“I’ve noticed you’ve seemed different recently. How are you doing?”
Listen without immediately trying to fix the situation. Avoid judgement and give the person space to speak honestly and openly.
If you are concerned about suicide, asking the person directly can be appropriate:
“Are you thinking about suicide?”
Taking the answer seriously and helping someone connect with professional support can be more important than trying to manage the situation yourself.
When professional support may be needed
Mental health support does not have to begin when someone reaches a crisis point.
Early support can help someone understand what they are experiencing, develop healthier coping strategies and address underlying issues before they become more severe or even life-threatening.
Depending on the individual, treatment may involve psychotherapy, trauma – informed treatment, psychiatric support, addiction treatment, medication or a combination of different approaches.
Most treatment centres in Canada consider many different factors when it comes to treating an individual struggling with mental health or addiction issues.
Good care looks at the person as a whole – their history, relationships, mental health, physical wellbeing and the circumstances that may be contributing to their difficulties.
You do not have to wait for a crisis
One of the most important messages of World Suicide Prevention Day is that conversations matter.
The World Health Organization’s 2026 campaign, Changing the Narrative on Suicide, calls for more open and compassionate conversations and encourages people to start the conversation rather than allowing stigma and silence to continue.
Mental health difficulties can affect anyone, regardless of age, background or circumstances.
The WHO notes that mental health conditions can affect relationships, work and many other areas of daily life, while many conditions can be effectively treated.
Recognizing the signs isn’t about labelling someone.
It is about noticing when something has changed, having the courage to ask, and making sure people know that support is available.
What to do if you or someone you know is in crisis
The key thing is not to delay seeking support, particularly if you suspect someone (or even yourself) may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or is thinking about ending their life.
Reaching out can be difficult, but it can also be life-saving.
Contact our team in confidence today for further guidance and support. You are not alone – help and support are just a phone call away.
Additional resources for suicide prevention in Canada
Canada suicide helplines:Â