Suicide Warning Signs (Lifelines: A Suicide Prevention Program)
Feelings
Hopelessness: feeling like things are bad and won’t get any better Fear of losing control, going crazy, harming himself/herself or others Helplessness: a belief that there’s nothing that can be done to make life better Worthlessness: feeling like an awful person and people would be better off if he/she were dead Hating himself/herself, feeling guilty or ashamed Being extremely sad and lonely, feeling anxious, worried or angry all the time
Action
Drug or alcohol abuse Talking or writing about death or destruction Aggression: getting into fights or having arguments with people Recklessness: doing risky or dangerous things
Changes
Personality: behaving like a different person, becoming withdrawn, tired all the time, not caring about anything, or becoming more talkative, outgoing Behavior: can’t concentrate on school or regular tasks Sleeping and eating patterns: sleeping all the time or not being able to sleep at all, or waking up in the middle of the night or early in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep, losing appetite and/or overeating and gaining weight Losing interest in friends, hobbies, and appearance, or in activities or sports previously enjoyed
Threats
Statements like “How long does it take to bleed to death?” Threats like “I won’t be around much longer” or “Don’t tell anyone else..you won’t be my friend if you tell!” Plans like giving away favorite things, studying about ways to die, obtaining a weapon or a stash of pills: the risk is very high if a person has a plan and the way to do it
Situations
Getting into trouble at school, home or with the law Recent loss through death, divorce, or separation; the break-up of a relationship; losing an opportunity or a dream; losing self-esteem Changes in life that feel overwhelming Being exposed to suicide or the death of a peer under any circumstances