Surviving the Teens / Suicide Prevention

Depression / Suicide

It is important to recognize the warning signs of suicide. Studies suggest that 80 percent of people who die from suicide give warning signs. The Surviving the Teens / Suicide Prevention Program provides a list of warning sides for potential suicide.

Warning Signs of Suicide

• Putting life in order. This may be as simple as writing an obituary, settling debts or differences with others, cleaning out a room or locker.
• Saying good-byes. Perhaps thanking friends for “being a good friend” and telling them they will be missed.
• Direct statements about wanting to die (e.g., “I want to die”)
• Vague statements (e.g., “Nobody cares about me,” “Life sucks, I can’t take it anymore,” “I’m through with it.”)
• Giving away possessions
• Sudden change in behavior. This can be a sudden positive or negative change (i.e., all of a sudden appearing happy or calm after a prolonged period of depression or being upset). Also, suddenly not caring about things they would normally care about or taking risks they normally would not take.
• Increased use of drugs / alcohol
• Hopelessness. Expressing there is no way out of a situation, that he  cannot go on or that her life is over.
• Prior attempt. This is one risk factor that can actually predict a future suicide attempt. One out of five people who attempt will go on to complete suicide.
• Death themes in art or written work (i.e., drawing morbid pictures or writing stories, music or poetry about death, pain or being preoccupied about death)