Warning
Signs
There is no typical suicide victim. It
happens to young and old, rich and poor. Fortunately there are some
common warning signs which, when acted upon, can save lives.
Here
are some to look for:
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns
- Neglect of personal appearance
- Depressed, sad, angry, aggressive
- Job or financial loss
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Self-mutilation (i.e., cutting)
- Isolation; withdrawing from family or friends
- Loss of interest in activities/hobbies
- Trouble with school or work
- Perfectionism or overly self-critical
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Risk
Factors
These are things that increase the potential for a
person's suicide.
- Previous suicide attempts
- Major illness
- Barriers to accessing mental health treatment
- Significant others who have completed suicide
- Relationship breakup
- Job or Financial loss, personal security
- Untreated depression, hopelessness, helplessness
- Isolation
- Access to lethal means (i.e.; guns, pills, etc)
- Family disruption
- Sexual, mental or physical abuse
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Urgent
Danger Signs
- Hopelessness or helplessness
- Talking, writing or hinting about suicide
- Lethargy, apathy or sadness
- Extreme changes in behavior
- Puts one's affairs in order -- giving away possessions
- Relationship breakup
- Buys gun or weapon or stock piles drugs
- Suddenly happier and calmer -- giving the impression that things
have improved
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Protective
Factors
These are the things that help a person
through
periods of crisis.
- Family or friends or community
- Positive self-esteem
- Sobriety
- Sense of hope
- Good health
- Counselor or Therapist (depression screening)
- Treatment availability
- Calm environment
- Pet(s)
- Medication compliance
- Responsibility for children
- Duty to others
- Job security
- Difficult access to lethal means (i.e.; gun, pills, etc)
- Religious beliefs
- Resiliency
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