SUICIDE PREVENTION AND WARNING SIGNS

About 70% of people who commit suicide give some warning signs or tell someone about their plans.

If someone you know appears to be depressed and is exhibiting any of these warning signs you should:

• Take all suicidal talk seriously
• Listen to them and ask him or her what their plans are
• Contact family and close friends to help
• Ask them to seek the help of a mental health professional
• Do not leave them alone or unobserved for any appreciable time
• Remove any weapons or drugs around that could be used
• Take him or her to the nearest emergency room
• Help them to remember to take antidepressant medications and to continue any other therapy prescribed during treatment.
• Offer and supply emotional support

TheWarning Signs:

• Obtaining a weapon
• Writing a suicide note
• Putting affairs in order like changing a will or paying off debts
• Talking about going away (“They/You'll be sorry when I'm gone;” “I'd be better off dead;” “I won't be around to deal with that;” “Life isn't worth living;” “It would be better if I wasn't here...”)
• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
• A sudden change from being sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy
• Recent Loss: death of family member or friend, loss of job, money or status, divorce, broken relationship, loss of religious faith, loss of interest in friends, activities previously enjoyed, hobbies
• Change in Sleep Patterns (oversleeping, nightmares, insomnia)
• Loss of self confidence and self esteem
• Feeling worthless, self-hatred, shame, overwhelming guilt
• No hope for the future -- believing things will never get better; that nothing will ever change
• Increasing alcohol or drug use
• Giving away articles of monetary value (prized collection, valuables)
• Giving away articles of personal/sentimental value
• Arranging for the care of pets
• extravagant spending
• Change in Eating Habits (overeating, loss of weight and appetite)
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
• Diminished Sexual Interest (impotence, menstrual abnormalities)
• Previous suicide attempts

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, between 20-50% of people who commit suicide have had a previous attempt.