Warning Signs of Suicide
Understanding the warning signs, risk factors, and protective factors associated with suicide is essential for identifying people who may be at risk. Suicide is a complex issue influenced by various factors, and while it’s impossible to pinpoint a single cause for suicide, several common signs are frequently associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Call 911 or your local emergency service if you see or hear the following:
- Someone threatening to hurt or kill themself or talking about wanting to die, especially if they have a weapon or dangerous item
- Someone at risk or in crisis seeking access to dangerous items (lethal means) with which to hurt or kill themself
- Someone talking, writing, or posting on social media about intending to die by suicide
Warning signs
Warning signs of suicide are observable behaviors, actions, or expressions that may indicate that someone is at risk of attempting or thinking about suicide.
- Talking about suicide, expressing thoughts like “I want to kill myself” or “I wish I were dead”
- Acquiring means to take one’s own life, like buying a gun or stockpiling pills
- Isolating and withdrawing from social contact
- Experiencing mood swings, from emotional highs to deep discouragement
- Showing fixation on death, dying, or violence
- Expressing feelings of being a burden to others
- Feeling trapped or hopeless in a situation
- Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
- Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns
- Engaging in risky or self-destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse or reckless driving
- Giving away possessions or organizing affairs without an apparent reason
- Saying goodbye to people as if these are final farewells
- Displaying personality changes, severe anxiety, or agitation
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