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Suicidal Warning Signs

Hands handcuffed holding bars

There’s no single cause for suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. Undiagnosed or untreated depression is the most common condition associated with suicide. When you're concerned that someone might be experiencing thoughts of suicide, the most important sign to look for is a change in their behavior. Most people die by suicide exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do.

Talk

If a person talks about:

Killing themselves

Feeling hopeless

Having no reason to live

Being a burden to others

Feeling trapped

Unbearable pain

Mood

People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:

Depression

Anxiety

Loss of interest

Irritability

Humiliation/Shame

Agitation/Anger

Relief/Sudden Improvement

Behavior

Behaviors that may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss or change:

Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods

Withdrawing from activities

Isolating from family and friends

Sleeping too much or too little

Visiting or calling people to say goodbye

Giving away prized possessions

Aggression

Fatigue