Warning Signs and Risk Factors for Suicide
Risk Factors
- Diagnosis of Depression
- Previous suicide attempt
- Family history of suicide
- Loss of job, home, money
- Death or terminal illness of a loved one
- Divorce or loss of major, significant relationship
- Loss of health, either real or imagined
- Someone close to the person has completed suicide
- Recent disappointment or rejection
- Being expelled from school/fired from job
- Sudden loss of freedom/fear of punishment
- Victim of assault or bullying
Warning Signs
- Talking about suicide
- Statements such as, "Soon you won't have to worry about me," "I just want to go to sleep and never wake up," "I just want out."
- Sense of worthlessness, hopelessness, or helplessness
- Suddenly happier and calmer
- Giving away prized possessions
- Getting affairs in order, making arrangements
- Visiting or calling people one cares about
- Preoccupation with death
- Loss of interest in things one cares about
If you, a friend or loved one is depressed, seek professional help. There is also a test you can take on the Internet, which can help you to determine whether you or someone you know needs help. The test isn't a substitute for a physician's diagnosis, but it is a pretty good indicator of whether or not it's time to go to the doctor to be examined. Visit depression-screening.org.
