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Warning Signs of Suicide

Research shows that people who contemplate and/or attempt suicide are likely to talk about it with someone. In addition, studies suggest that most people who die by suicide give warning signs beforehand. Warning signs of suicide have also been observed in 75% of cases post-suicide.1

We all—as family, friends, and community members—need to know the warning signs of suicide. Like learning to apply CPR, recognizing the warning signs of suicide and a person in need of help is an opportunity to save a life.

Behaviors that may represent warning signs:

  1. Visiting, calling, or texting people to say goodbye
  2. Looking for ways to die such as researching methods on the internet or gathering guns, ropes, pills, or knives
  3. Making direct or indirect statements about death, suicide, or suicide ideation/plan
  4. Preoccupation with death or dying
  5. Sudden and extreme changes in mood or behaviors (e.g. changes in routine, behavior, appearance, or grooming habits)
  6. Increased substance abuse
  7. Reckless, self-destructive, and/or high-risk behaviors
  8. Giving away prized possessions
  9. Not tolerating praise or rewards
  10. Frequent complaints about physical symptoms often related to emotions such as headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue
  1. Frequent complaints about physical symptoms often related to emotions such as headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue
  2. Withdrawing or feeling isolated
  3. Changes in sleep and/or eating habits
  4. Acting anxious or agitated
  5. Rage or talk about seeking revenge
  6. Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline of quality of schoolwork
  7. Sudden sense of calm
  8. Expression of any of these thoughts or feelings:
    • Trapped or desperate to escape an intolerable situation
    • Humiliation
    • Being a burden to others
    • Hopelessness
    • Purposelessness or having no reason to live

“Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.”

Please take any of the above warning signs seriously. If you are concerned about your friend, student, or child, ask him/her directly about suicide. You are not going to give them an idea they don’t already have!

1 suicide.org