7 warning signs someone is thinking of suicide
For any mental health concern, it’s important to seek help. Reaching out to others can make all the difference in someone’s well-being, especially since treatments, like therapy and medication, can help people manage mental health struggles. When someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts, finding help is especially important.
If you or someone you care about shows some of these signs, don’t dismiss it. Signs can look different in each person, but there are a few common signals to pay attention to.
“There are some more obvious signs, such as talking about dying and making direct comments about not wanting to live,” says Dr. Munther Barakat, the director of behavioral health therapy at Aurora Health Care. “But some signs are less obvious.”
Seven signs to watch for include:
- Talking about dying or making comments about not wanting to live
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Increased substance use, including drugs or alcohol
- Changes in behavior
- Loss of interest
- Lack of engagement with family and friends
- Not being interested in making future plans
Some people may exhibit only some of these signs, or they may show more exaggerated versions of them. For example, men are more likely to have more extreme mood swings and substance use or engage in risky behaviors. If you notice someone exhibiting these signs, don’t be afraid to approach the person and provide them with an opportunity to talk.
“It’s OK to say to someone that it looks like they aren’t doing well and to ask them how they are doing. Don’t feel like you need to solve the problem,” says Dr. Barakat. “You’re there to listen and provide the opportunity to take them somewhere to get professional help.”
If someone is actively suicidal, don’t wait – bring them to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, encourage them to get assessed by a behavioral health provider. If you’re struggling, reach out.
“Talking with family or friends can be a really good first step. You can also walk in for an evaluation in a psychiatric intake department, which are usually open 24/7,” says Dr. Barakat. “If it’s an emergency, find the nearest emergency room.”
Suicide can be a hard topic to talk about, but it’s important to know what signs to watch for. There is help available, and there is hope.
If you or someone you know is exhibiting these signs, call or text the suicide & crisis lifeline at 988.
Find behavioral health treatment and programs near you: Illinois | Wisconsin
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About the Author
Ben Hoekstra is a public affairs coordinator with Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. He previously worked in marketing and PR for various Milwaukee nonprofits and received his master’s degree in Corporate Communications from Marquette University. He enjoys the outdoors, cooking, and all things Milwaukee.
What if they show none of these signs, have always, since childhoos, been a completely rational person seeming to be handling life well? For example, has shown up at various recent family celebrations, appearing to have a great time, etc. Then breaks the hearts of their parents/grandparents with taking his own life? Someone please explain that to me. I’m the grandparent & my heart is broken twofold: one for his parents & once for me!
While this is all great, the problem is it takes months to be seen. We have to fix the timing of care if we really want to help, this is not just Aurora, this is everywhere.
What can I do for a dear friend who hit ROCK BOTTOM in his life due to mental illness (manic bi-polar/depression) that has gotten into multiple felonies with the law (due to drug use), is losing his house and is facing prison time? He will be homeless soon with no car and no family in Wisconsin.
This is such a hard topic. I lost my best friend to suicide in 2019. She didn’t exhibit the majority of these signs, but was definitely in a period of life change and stressful times. There was a few times she couldn’t get out of bed, but I also had my own stuff going on and had days I couldn’t get out of bed…I shrugged hers off because I knew I wasn’t in that place. Her loss hit all of us so hard. We agreed that we needed to have more regular honest and open conversations about how we were doing, that it’s okay to not be okay. So we could show up better for each other. and we could also show up more authentically in our relationships.
Diane, I am so sorry for this loss. Besides wanting to let you know it is not your fault, and you were not being a bad friend, I hope you know that this is a hard topic to deal with because of just what you said. We all have alot of things going on and cannot know what someone else is thinking unless they share it with us. I think your solution is wonderful, to have more honest and open conversations with friends and family about how you are doing. Mental health struggles are just as normal as physical health struggles, and you are right, it is okay not to be okay. Showing up for eachother in an authentic and loving way is the best way to prevent these tragedies, and a healthy way to be supportive. We can’t usually fix it, but we can show up and support in different ways. We are hardwired to need support from people during stressful times. Hang in there!