People rarely talk openly about suicide. But talking openly and honestly about emotional distress and suicide is OK. It will not make someone more suicidal or put the idea of suicide in his or her mind.
Suicide is a serious public health problem that causes immeasurable pain, suffering and loss to individuals, families and communities. Nearly 40,000 people in the U.S. die from suicide each year – or one person every 13 minutes, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Suicide is complicated and tragic – but it is often preventable. Most people who are thinking about suicide show certain signs, symptoms and behaviors that can be recognized by people who are familiar with these signals.
Suicide Warning Signs
The following behaviors from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide:- Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
- Talking about feeling empty, hopeless or having no reason to live
- Making a plan or looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online, stockpiling pills or buying a gun
- Talking about great guilt or shame
- Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
- Feeling unbearable pain (emotional pain or physical pain)
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Using alcohol or drugs more often
- Acting anxious or agitated
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Changing eating and/or sleeping habits
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
- Talking or thinking about death often
- Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy
- Giving away important possessions
- Saying goodbye to friends and family
- Putting affairs in order, making a will
QuickNote: There is rarely a single cause of suicide. In most cases, it is a combination of many factors.