Learning the warning signs of suicide could save someone’s life. While an individual may not be experiencing all of these warning signs, most people will experience more than one for an extended period of time. Signs range from obvious to subtle, so it’s important to know what to look for and what to do next if you do notice these behaviors. Watch for a change from the individual’s typical behavior.

• Withdrawing: Withdrawing from previously enjoyed activities or friends 
• Sleeping changes: Sleeping too much or too little
• Reckless behavior: This could look like driving without a license, drug and alcohol use, shoplifting, driving at excessive speeds, etc. because one no longer cares about what happens to them.
• Excessive drinking or substance use: Increasing the use of drugs or alcohol or beginning to use when one has never shown interest in it previously.
• Unexplainable physical pain: Continually experiencing unexplained aches and pains in one's body (one of the most commonly overlooked warning signs of depression and/or suicide). 
• Saying goodbye: Saying goodbye to family/friends (this could be via letter, phone, text, in person, etc.) 
• Giving away possessions: Possessions one has previously shown great interest in may be given away because they think they will no longer have a use for them in the future. 
• Talking or writing about wanting to die: People who do this are not simply “looking for attention,” as we often hear people say. Take this very seriously! Whether it’s a conversation with a friend, a writing or art assignment at school, a journal entry or any other expression of death, it should be taken extremely seriously.
• Increased curiosity around death: This may look like researching ways to die, how to buy a gun or lethal drugs, reading about suicide, drawing pictures or writing stories about death, etc. 
• Hopelessness: This often sounds like “I’m worthless,” “nothing is going well” or “everything is just too much.” Take this language very seriously.
• Feeling trapped: This may feel like being stuck or in so much pain that there is no other way to improve the current situation.
• Extreme mood swings: One may display unexplainable mood swings that are out of character for them.
• Talking about being a burden: This may sound like “everyone would be better off without me” or “things will be easier without me here.”
• Acting anxious or agitated: One may act overly anxious or agitated for no apparent reason.
• Increased anger or rage: Unexplainable anger or rage that is out of character. ​

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal ideation, call or text at 988.

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