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Risk Factors

• Depression and other mental or substance abuse disorders
• Prior suicide attempts
• A family history of mental disorders, substance abuse, or suicides
• Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
• Access to means such as prescriptions, guns, and any other harmful device or substance
• Being exposed to others’ suicidal behavior, such as that of family members, peers, or through the media
• Barriers to accessing mental health treatment
• Loss (relational, social, work, or financial)
• Physical illness
• Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health, substance abuse disorders, or suicidal thoughts

Warning Signs

• Talking about suicide– Suicide talk such as, “I’d be better off dead,” “I wish I hadn’t been born,” etc.
• Seeking out ways of death– The seeking out of medicines, guns, knives, and any other object that could be used in a suicide attempt.
• Obsession with death– An obsession with death or violence and even writing about death.
• No hope for the future– Feeling like “there’s no way out”, feeling helpless or hopeless.
• Self-loathing– Feelings of worthlessness, shame, self-hatred, or being a burden.
• Getting affairs in order– Giving away prized possessions, making a will, etc.
• Saying goodbye– Unusual calls to family member and friends to say goodbye, almost as if they’ll never see them again.
• Withdrawing from social situations– Withdrawing from family and friends, desire to be left alone.
• Self-destructive behavior– Increased alcohol use, drug use, reckless driving, etc. as if to increase chances of death.
• Sudden sense of calm– A sense of calm after being depressed or anxious can mean that a person has made the decision to commit suicide.

Suicide Prevention

Talk to a person about suicide:

If you’re worried that someone you know is contemplating suicide, the best thing to do is talk to them about it. Talking to a suicidal person gives them the opportunity to express their feelings. It allows them to relieve their pent-up feelings and might prevent their suicide attempt.

Make sure the person feels comfortable talking to you. Listen to them instead of arguing with them. Be sympathetic and don’t try to solve their problems. Make sure they feel loved and know that you care about them.

Respond quickly:

If a person tells you that they have thoughts about suicide, they need to be evaluated right away. Ask them these questions to see what level of suicide risk they are:

• Do you have a suicide plan?
• Do you have what you need to carry out the plan? (guns, pills, etc.)
• Do you know when you would do it?
• Do you plan on committing suicide?

If they answer yes to all of the questions above seek immediate help by calling 911 or taking the person to an emergency room. Remove any lethal object (guns, knives, drugs, etc.) from the vicinity. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, LEAVE A SUICIDAL PERSON ALONE.

                                              Levels of Suicide Risk:

• Low– Some suicidal thoughts, no plan, says they won’t commit suicide
• Medium– Suicidal thoughts, vague plan, says they won’t commit suicide
• High– Suicidal thoughts, specific plan, says they won’t commit suicide
• Severe– Suicidal thoughts, specific plan, says they will commit suicide

Offer support:

As their friend or family make yourself available to those contemplating suicide. Don’t forget to take care of yourself while helping them, as this can be an emotional time for you too.

• Get professional help- Do what you can to get a suicidal person the help they need by encouraging the person to see a mental health professional, finding treatment facilities and taking them to doctors appointments.
• Be aware of medications- If the suicidal person has been prescribed medication: Make sure they are taking it. Be aware of any negative side effects the medications may cause.

• Don’t wait for them- Don’t wait for the suicidal person to call you if they need help. Instead, call them, stop by the person’s home, or invite them to go somewhere with you.

• Encourage lifestyle changes- Encourage a suicidal person to eat healthy, to get plenty of sleep, and to exercise. Exercising is important as it releases endorphins and relieves stress.

• Have a plan- Help the suicidal person develop a plan to follow when they are in a suicidal crisis. Identify any triggers that lead to suicidal thoughts, such as an anniversary of a loss. Make sure they have a list of phone number for their doctor, therapist, family, and friends who will help them in a suicidal crisis.

• Remove any means of suicide-  Remove any pills, guns, razors, knives, etc. If the suicidal person is likely to overdose, keep medications locked away and only give these to them as they need it.