Information on Suicide

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Suicide and other self-destructive behaviors rarely occur without some warning signs. You, perhaps even more than parents of teens, can assess what is "normal" adolescent behavior and what may be an indication that something is wrong.

Here are some signs that a young person may be considering suicide:

• A suddenly deteriorating academic performance. Teens who were typically conscientious about their school work and who are now neglecting assignments, cutting classes, or missing school altogether may be experiencing problems that can affect their academic success, behavior, and health and put them at risk of suicide.
• Self-mutilation. Some young people resort to cutting their arms or legs with razor blades and other sharp objects to cope with emotional pain. Self-mutilation of this type is an unmistakable sign that something is wrong.
• A fixation with death or violence. Teens may express this fixation through poetry, essays, doodling, or other artwork. They may be preoccupied with violent movies, video games, and music, or fascinated with weapons.
• Unhealthy peer relationships. Teens whose circle of friends dramatically changes for no apparent reason, who don't have friends, or who begin associating with other young people known for substance abuse or other risk behaviors may signal a change in their emotional lives. Their destructive behaviors may discourage more stable friends from associating with them, or they themselves may reject former friends who "don't understand [them] any more."
• Volatile mood swings or a sudden change in personality. Students who become sullen, silent, and withdrawn, or angry and acting out, may have problems that can lead to suicide.
• Indications that the student is in an unhealthy, destructive, or abusive relationship. This can include abusive relationships with peers or family members. Signs of an abusive relationship include unexplained bruises, a swollen face, or other injuries, particularly if the student refuses to discuss them.
• Risk-taking behaviors. Risk-taking behaviors often co-occur and are symptomatic of underlying emotional or social problems. Such behaviors as unprotected or promiscuous sex, alcohol or other drug use, driving recklessly or without a license, petty theft, or vandalism, especially by young people who formerly did not engage in these activities, can be an indication that something is wrong.
• Signs of an eating disorder. An eating disorder is an unmistakable sign that a student needs help. A dramatic change in weight that is not associated with a medically supervised diet may also indicate that something is wrong.
• Difficulty in adjusting to gender identity. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered teens have higher suicide attempt rates than their heterosexual peers. While coming to terms with gender identity can be challenging for many young people, gay and lesbian youth face social pressures that can make this adjustment especially difficult.
• Bullying. Children and adolescents who are bullied, as well as those who bully, are at increased risk of depression and suicidal ideation (Kaltiala-Heino, Rimpela, Marttunen, Rimpela, & Rantanen, 1999).
• Depression. Although most people who are clinically depressed do not attempt suicide, depression significantly increases the risk of suicide or suicide attempts. Symptoms of depression include the following:
  • A sudden worsening in academic performance
  • Withdrawal from friends and extracurricular activities
  • Expressions of sadness and hopelessness, or anger and rage
  • A sudden decline in enthusiasm and energy
  • Overreaction to criticism
  • Lowered self-esteem, or feelings of guilt
  • Indecision, lack of concentration, and forgetfulness
  • Restlessness and agitation
  • Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
  • Unprovoked episodes of crying
  • Sudden neglect of appearance and hygiene
  • Fatigue
  • The abuse of alcohol or other drugs as young people try to "self-medicate" their emotional pain

Some warning signs of suicide demand immediate action:

• Talking or writing about suicide or death
• Giving direct verbal cues, such as "I wish I were dead" and "I'm going to end it all"
• Giving less direct verbal cues, such as "You will be better off without me," "What's the point of living?", "Soon you won't have to worry about me," and "Who cares if I'm dead, anyway?"
• Isolating him- or herself from friends and family
• Expressing the belief that life is meaningless
• Giving away prized possessions
• Exhibiting a sudden and unexplained improvement in mood after being depressed or withdrawn
• Neglecting his or her appearance and hygiene
• Dropping out of school or social, athletic, and/or community activities
• Obtaining a weapon (such as a firearm) or another means of hurting him- or herself (such as prescription medications)