Suicide Prevention

Warning Signs

• Previous suicide attempt
• Current talk of suicide/making a plan
• Strong wish to die/preoccupied with death or suicide (i.e., thoughts, music, reading)
• Depression (hopelessness, withdrawal)
• Alcohol/Substance use
• Recent attempt by friend or family member
• Depressed mood, sadness, crying spells
• Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities
• Decrease in sexual drive
• Low self esteem
• Fatigue or loss of energy, slowing of movements
• Diminished ability to think or concentrate
• Getting a gun or stockpiling pills
• Giving away prized possessions
• Impulsivity/increased risk taking
• Unexplained anger, aggression, irritability
• Self-destructive acts (i.e., cutting)
• Chronic truancy, running away
• Perfectionism
• Being expelled from school /fired from job
• Loss of any major relationship
• Death of a friend or family member, especially if by suicide
• Diagnosis of a serious or terminal illness
• Financial problems (either their own or within the family)
• Sudden loss of freedom/fear of punishment
• Feeling embarrassed or humiliated in front of peers
• Victim of assault or bullying
• Change in interaction with family and friends (withdrawal)
• Recent disappointment or rejection
• Sudden decline or improvement in academic performance
• Physical symptoms: eating disturbances, changes in sleep patterns, chronic headaches, stomach problems, menstrual irregularities
• Increased apathy
• Statements such as:

•  “I've decided to kill myself.”

•  “I wish I were dead.”

•  “I'm going to commit suicide.”

•  “I'm going to end it all.”

•  “If (such and such) doesn't happen, I'll
kill myself.”

•  “I'm tired of life, I just can't go on.”

•  “My family would be better off without me.”

•  “Who cares if I'm dead anyway?”

•  “I just want out.”

•  “I won't be around much longer.”

•  “Pretty soon you won't have to worry about
me.”