Warning Signs

Recognize the Risks

• Recent rejection or divorce
  • Sudden rejection by a loved one
  • Sudden break up of a boyfriend or girlfriend
  • An unwanted separation or divorce
  • Rejection of a friend
• Recent unwanted move
  • Could indicate financial troubles or job loss
  • Could increase feelings of isolation or shame
• Acting anxious
  • Rapid speech, difficulty sitting still, irritability, stomachache or headache, talking about feeling uncertain or anxious. Those having thoughts of suicide are often ambivalent about death. This means that part of them wants to live, but part of them also wants to die. This ambivalence can cause someone to experience uneasy, worry, and nervousness about their decision.
• Changes in behavior
  • Missing appointments
  • Sudden drop in grades
  • Not getting work done
  • Withdrawing from social situations
  • Sudden improvement in mood, behavior, or work performance with no explanation. Could indicate the person has “made a decision” to end their life which has decreased their pain and anxiety.
• Changes in sleep habits
  • Sleeping a lot more or less than usual
• Death of a loved one
  • Death of a friend or family member, especially if the person died by suicide
• Depression
  • Persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest that may impact energy, concentration, daily behavior, sleep, appetite, and self-esteem.
  • Depression is both biological and physiological in nature and is the number one cause of suicidal behavior. It is highly treatable.
• Serious health condition diagnosis

  Especially if they;

  • Are experiencing chronic pain
  • Received a life-threatening or frightening diagnosis
• Failure to take care of themselves
  • Not bathing
  • Not caring about appearance or hygiene
  • Not taking medication
  • Not exercising
• Financial loss or instability
  • Job loss
  • Excessive debt
  • Financial stress
  • Reckless spending
• Getting affairs in order
  • Putting business and personal affairs in order
  • Making or changing a will
  • Taking out insurance policies
  • Making funeral plans
  • Could include cleaning or organizing their space, or making arrangements for a pet
• Giving away belongings

  Giving away;

  • Money
  • Prized possessions
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
  • Prescription or illicit drugs
  • Reckless or excessive use
• Looking for ways to harm themselves
  • Stocking up on pills
  • Purchasing or acquiring a gun/ammunition
  • Searching on the internet for ways or means to end their life
  • Relapse or increased use of drugs and alcohol
• Loss of job
  • Being fired or quitting
  • Loss of face or perceived failure at work
• Loss of interest
  • Stopping or disinterest in normal activities
• Personality change
  • The key is any sudden “change” in personality. You know your friends, family, coworkers, etc. best. You will notice if something is off. This is always a good time to check in with someone.
• Preoccupied with death
  • Talking about death
  • Texting about death
  • Posting on social media about death or dying
• Reckless behavior
  • Experimentation with drugs and alcohol
  • Driving erratically
  • Disregard for personal safety
  • Promiscuous behavior
  • Reckless spending
• Social isolation and withdrawl
  • Talking about feeling lonely or alone
• Sudden change in faith or religion
  • Some people are looking for closure or answers and seek out religious institutions in times of crisis.
  • Others may feel like they are going against their religious beliefs by contemplating suicide, so they stop attending.
• Sudden loss of freedom
  • About to be arrested
  • Loss of driving privilege or driver’s license
  • Loss of phone privileges
• Sudden mood changes
  • The key is any sudden “change” in mood. You know your friends, family, coworkers, etc. best. You will notice if something is off. This is always just a good time to check in with someone. This may include a sudden calm or euphoria, since the decision to end one’s life sometimes feels like a relief of pain.
• Talking about being a burden to others

  Examples:

  • “Nobody needs me anymore”
  • “Nobody will miss me when I’m gone’
  • “My family would be better off without me”
  • “You won’t have to take care of me much longer”
• Talking about death or suicide
  • “If ____ happens, I’m going to kill myself”
  • “I don’t want to live anymore”
  • “I wish I could go to sleep and never wake up”
• Talking about hopelessness
  • “I can’t do this anymore.”
  • “What’s the point? Nothing matters.”
  • “I only make things worse.”