Understanding Suicide: Part II – Helping Your Loved One
Understanding suicide is a significant role you can play if you have loved ones, family, or friends, who are at risk for suicide. A first step in trying to help someone who is at risk for suicide is to recognize the warning signs and what steps to take.
The causes of suicide are complex and determined by multiple combinations of factors such as mental illness, substance misuse, painful losses, exposure to violence and social isolation. Warning signs may vary for adults and youth. Watch for signs of emotional distress as you check in with friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, and acquaintances.
Suicide Warning Signs for Adults
Risk is greater if a behavior is new or has increased, and if it seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. Always be alert and mindful if you notice any of the following:
- Talking about or making plans for suicide.
- Acting anxious or agitated, behaving recklessly.
- Talking about being a burden to others.
- Talking about being trapped or in unbearable pain.
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
- Sleeping too little or too much.
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated.
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings.
Suicide Warning Signs for Youth
It is time to take action if you notice these signs in family or friends:
- Talking about or making plans for suicide.
- Expressing hopelessness about the future.
- Displaying severe/overwhelming emotional pain or distress.
- Showing worrisome changes in behavior, particularly in combination with the warning signs above, including significant:
– Withdrawal from or changing social connections/situations.
– Changes in sleep (increased or decreased).
– Anger or hostility that seems out of character or out of context.
– Recent increased agitation or irritability.
In addition to the warning signs above, other factors can influence a person’s risk of suicide. These risk factors include:
- Family history of suicide
- Previous suicide attempt
- Childhood adverse experiences
- Veterans, particularly during transition to civilian life
- Historical trauma of an ethnicity or other population
Need Help?
Observation of warning signs requires immediate action. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. This national helpline is a free treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. The free, confidential 24/7 phone line connects individuals in crisis with trained counselors in a network of more than 200 state and local call centers across the United States. US Health and Human Services through SAMHSA support this service. More than 3.6 million calls, chats, and texts were received at the Lifeline in 2021.
WMPC member and Mental Health Ministry Team Member