Suicide warning signs

Untreated depression can result in suicide attempts.  In fact, untreated depression is the NUMBER ONE cause of suicide.  Successful suicide is permanent and extreme, and very difficult for the friends, family and loved ones who are left behind to heal, wondering if they could have prevented it.

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Today when I was out shopping, the Karen Brooks Hope Center was collecting donations and handing out a flyer with the 35 warning signs of suicide.  They are the people behind the suicide hotline 1-800-SUICIDE.  If you are depressed and feel like life isn't worth living, reach out and talk with someone!  Their hopeline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (or as in this leap year 366 days!)

And now, because I think it is important to share, here are the 35 warning signs of suicide.  Many of these overlap with the signs of depression.

The important thing to remember is:  Help is available.  If you have a friend of a loved one who is displaying these signs, then the hopeline at 1-800-SUICIDE can help you, too! 

Suicide warning signs

• Appearing depressed or sad most of the time.
• Feeling hopeless.
• Expressing hopelessness.
• Withdrawing from family and friends.
• Sleeping too much, or too little.
• Feeling tired most of the time.
• Gaining or losing a significant amount of weight.
• Making statements such as:
  "I can't go on any longer, I hate this life."
  "Everyone would be better off without me."
  "Life is not worth living anymore"
  "I want to die."
• Any mention of suicide.
• Writing notes or poems about suicide or death.
• Losing interest in most activities.
• Giving away prized possessions.
• Writing a will.
• No sense of humor.
• Facing a perceived humiliating situation.
• Facing a perceived failure.
• Feeling excessive guilt or shame.
• Acting irrationally.
• Being preoccupied with death or dying.
• Behaving recklessly.
• Irritability.
• Frequent complaining about headaches, stomachaches, etc.
• Neglecting personal appearance.
• A dramatic change in personal appearance.
• A dramatic change in personality.
• Performing poorly in work or school.
• Abusing alcohol or drugs.
• Inability to concentrate.