There are many warning signs which may signal that someone is thinking about suicide. I will mention a few of them here, and I will post links to websites that list other warning signs.
I encourage you to commit these warning signs to memory. Print out the list and post it on your refrigerator, or put something in your phone that you can access in an emergency.
If someone starts talking about feeling hopeless or trapped, of being a burden to others or having no reason to live, they may be thinking about suicide. This may come up in a conversation, or you may encounter this kind of talk in a text message or a post on social media.
If someone starts talking about wanting to kill himself, you must take it seriously. Some people mistakenly believe that people who talk about killing themselves are just trying to get attention, but in many cases this kind of talk is a cry for help which should never be ignored.
There are also some behavioral signs to watch for: withdrawing from normal activities or from family and friends; sleeping too little or too much; giving things away; and searching online for suicide methods.
Another big warning sign is an increase in drug or alcohol use. This is important because drugs and alcohol lower a person’s inhibitions, including the natural instinct we’re all born with to preserve life.
Finally, there are some moods that may signal that someone is in crisis. These include: depression; anxiety; agitation; or irritability. Pay special attention to a sudden, dramatic change in someone’s mood, as this may indicate that a crisis is imminent.
For instance, if someone is usually very happy and outgoing, but suddenly becomes very depressed or withdrawn, this is cause for alarm. Also, if someone has been very depressed and suddenly seems very elated or relieved, act quickly! They may have a suicide plan in place and may be preparing to execute their plan. The source of their relief may be the belief that their pain will soon end.
A friend of mine once told me about a coworker who had seemed very depressed at work. One day he came to work in a much more positive mood, with no sign of depression. His coworkers were all happy to see this change, and they assumed he had worked out whatever had been bothering him. However, the next day they learned that the man had taken his life.
What they had perceived as happiness was actually a signal that the man had reached a decision and was relieved that he would no longer have to deal with his pain. If the coworkers had known about the warning signs for suicide and what to do in a suicidal crisis, they might have saved the man’s life.
This is why I’m so passionate about raising awareness about suicide and encouraging people to get trained in suicide prevention. The more people who are trained, the more lives we can save.
You don’t have to be a psychiatrist to help prevent suicide. You just have to care and know the steps to follow in a crisis. In my next few blogs, I’ll be sharing resources that will help you know what to do.
Sources for suicide warning signs:
https://www.sprc.org/about-suicide/warning-signs
https://afsp.org/risk-factors-protective-factors-and-warning-signs
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