The following are the common accepted definitions about suicide.

Suicide Ideation: Person has expressed thoughts and/or fantasy of self-harm and/or suicide.

Suicide Threat: Person has expressed, either in written or verbal form, an intent to inflict self-harm or commit suicide.

Suicide Gesture: Person has inflicted some degree of self-harm, which may be related to suicide intent. The behaviours are usually not severe enough to warrant death. Examples include self-mutilation, burning of self, and non-toxic ingestions. While the intent may not be to kill self, death may result by accident.

Suicide Risk: Through his/her thought or actions, the person presents some degree of risk for suicidal behaviour. All thoughts and behaviour related to suicide should be taken seriously and responded to immediately.

Self Destructive Behaviour: Person is engaged in drinking, promiscuity, eating disorder, and negative self-talk.

Suicide Attempt: This occurs when the 'intent' comes together with the 'means' or 'method'. The person has taken clear steps to end his/her life. The behaviour reflects intent to kill self, although he/she may not acknowledge this. The behaviour has the potential to cause death. The degree of leathality of an attempt may vary (ie. pills, weapons).

Cluster: A grouping of suicides close in time and location. The risk for clusters is greatest in the first three months after a suicide, but remains significant for six months.

Completed Suicide: Person dies as a result of his/her own intent and actions. Never us the words 'successful suicide.'

Contagion: A process by which exposure to the suicide or suicidal behaviour influences others to commit or attempt suicide. The effect of contagion appears to be strongest among adolescents and is not limited to suicides that occur in specific geographical area. The first suicide is not the cause of the subsequent suicides but is rather a trigger event for a person who is already in crisis.