Learn The Warning Signs

Many times a person will exhibit clear warning signs before an attempt.

You may be the first and last person to see these signs in someone.
Would you know how to respond if you recognized your friend may be thinking about suicide?
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“A Friend Asks” is a FREE smart-phone app that helps provide the information, tools and resources to help a friend (or yourself) who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. Download the app today and encourage friends and family to do the same. Education is the key to prevention and with information like this as close as your smartphone; you could help save a life!
If you are experiencing a crisis, call 911 or call/text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Almost everyone who attempts or completes suicide has given warning signs through their words or behaviors. Do not ignore any suicide threats. The following statements may indicate serious suicidal feelings.

  • "I’d be better off dead."
  • "I won’t be bothering you much longer."
  • "You’ll be better off without me around."
  • "I hate my life."
  • "I am going to kill myself."
  • Suicide threats are not always verbal.

Depression is one of the leading causes of suicide attempts. Mental or addictive disorders are associated with 90% of suicide. An estimated 19.4 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 7.8% of all U.S. adults.

Depression can be exhibited in many ways including the following which are detailed in more depth:

  • Sudden, abrupt changes in personality
  • Expressions of hopelessness and despair
  • Declining grades and school performance
  • Lack of interest in activities once enjoyed
  • Increased irritability and aggressiveness
  • Withdrawal from family, friends and relationships
  • Lack of hygiene
  • Changes in eating and sleeping habits

Those who have attempted suicide are at risk to do it again. In fact, they are eight times more likely than those who have never attempted suicide to make another suicide attempt.

  • One out of three suicide deaths is not the individual’s first attempt.
  • The risk for completing suicide is more than 100 times greater during the first year after an attempt.
  • Take any instance of deliberate self-harm seriously.

Recent research has identified a connection between interpersonal violence and suicide. Suicide is associated with fighting for both males and females, across all ethnic groups, and for youth living in urban, suburban, and rural areas. You should be concerned if someone you know is exhibiting unusually irritable behavior.

You should be should be concerned if someone you know suddenly starts to lose interest in activities that they used to enjoy participating in.  This could be sports, hobbies, music, going out with friends, etc...

  • Someone that typically eats more than anyone you know barely eats or skips meals.  
  • Someone eating noticeably more without adding any additional exercise to their daily routine.
  • The opposite could also be worrying.  Someone eating noticeably more than that typically do. 

This can be seen throughout their:

  • Essays and writings about death
  • Poems about death
  • Artwork or drawings depicting death
  • Social media posts and comments
  • Talking a lot about death or dying
  • He/She is not dressing as they typically would.
  • Lack of personal hygiene.

Once the decision has been made to end their life, some people begin making final arrangements.

  • Giving away prized or favorite possessions
  • Putting their affairs in order
  • Saying good-bye to family and friends
  • Making funeral arrangements