suicide prevention
If you, or someone you know, has had thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, available 24/7:
An online WebChat is also available through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, available 24/7:
Warning signs:
Suicide may have many warning signs or none at all.
The most common warning signs include changes in the person's normal behavior. An individual may give verbal, behavioral, or emotional cues that they are considering ending their own life:
VERBAL
Change in talk that mentions:
BEHAVIORAL
Change in behavior that includes:
EMOTIONAL
Change in mood that includes:
The most common warning signs include changes in the person's normal behavior. An individual may give verbal, behavioral, or emotional cues that they are considering ending their own life:
VERBAL
Change in talk that mentions:
- Wanting to hurt or kill themselves
- Feeling hopeless
- Feeling as though they have no reason to live
- Feeling like a burden to others
- Feeling trapped
- Being in unbearable pain
BEHAVIORAL
Change in behavior that includes:
- Increased alcohol/drug use
- Researching methods for suicide
- Withdrawing from their usual activities
- Isolating themselves from family/friends
- Sleeping either too much or too little
- Reaching out to people to say goodbye
- Giving away meaningful personal items
- Aggression
- Fatigue
EMOTIONAL
Change in mood that includes:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Irritability
- Humiliation/Shame
- Anger/Agitation
- Sudden improvement or relief
- Sometimes individuals who decide they are going to end their life begin to exhibit a cheerful or calm mood
risk factors:
No one factor can predict or cause a suicide attempt, but there are characteristics that make it more likely an individual will attempt or consider suicide:
- Mental health disorders, especially:
- Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Schizophrenia, Personality Disorders
- Alcohol/Substance abuse
- History of trauma/abuse
- Major physical illness or pain
- Impulsive/Aggressive tendencies
- Hopelessness
- Family history of suicide
- Previous suicide attempts
- Job loss/Financial loss
- Loss of relationships
- Limited social support or sense of isolation
- Lack of mental health care or substance abuse treatment
- Local clusters of suicide
- Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in life or in media)
- Easy access to lethal means
Sources:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsp.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: suicidepreventionlifeline.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: suicidepreventionlifeline.org