Frameworks: Warning Signs
Recognize, Connect! Frameworks Suicide Prevention Project
What are warning signs* for suicide?
They are changes in a person’s behaviors, feelings, and beliefs about oneself that are maladaptive or out of character for that individual and place them at risk for suicide. How (or even if) individuals display any warning signs is likely to be different from individual to individual. Thus there is no clear script for recognizing when an individual is suicidal. However, there are common traits that have been observed (either before or after the fact) in individuals who are contemplating suicide. If family or friends observe these behaviors it does not necessarily mean the person will attempt suicide, however it should be cause for concern and should not be ignored. Individuals that are displaying these warning signs should be asked directly if they are thinking of hurting or killing themselves and should be referred to a qualified physician or mental health practitioner for a full assessment.
Suicide Warning Signs
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Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
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Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means.
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Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person.
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Feeling hopeless
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Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge.
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Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities - seemingly without thinking.
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Feeling trapped - like there's no way out.
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Increasing alcohol or drug use.
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Withdrawing from friends, family, and society.
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Feeling anxious or agitated being unable to sleep, or sleeping all the time.
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Experiencing dramatic mood changes.
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Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life.
Additional Indicators
• Talking of suicide, death
• Isolating self from friends and family
• Feeling life is meaningless
• Putting life in order
• Picking fights, arguing
• Refusing help, feeling beyond help
• Sudden improvement in mood after being down or withdrawn
• Neglect of appearance, hygiene
• Dropping out of activities
• Increasing hopelessness and helplessness
• Giving away favorite possessions
• Verbal Clues (see below)
• A detailed plan for how, when, and where
• Obtaining a weapon
• Suicide gestures (e.g. overdose, cutting)
Direct Verbal Clues
• “I wish I were dead.”
• “I’m going to end it all.”
• “I’ve decided to kill myself.”
• “I believe in suicide.”
• “If such and such doesn’t happen, I’ll kill myself.”
Less Direct Verbal Cues
• “You will be better off without me.”
• “I’m so tired of it all.”
• “What’s the point of living?”
• “Here, take this. I won’t be needing it anymore.”
• “Pretty soon you won’t have to worry about me.”
• “Goodbye, we all have to say goodbye.”
• “How do you become an organ donor?”
• “Who cares if I am dead anyway?”
This list of warning signs is promoted by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org) and the other indicators come from the National Center for Suicide Prevention Training.
For more information go to http://www.ncspt.org
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