Signs and Symptoms
Life-Saving Acknowledgements
In BVCOSP we believe suicide prevention should be a priority in all communities. These are five life-saving acknowledgments we believe everyone should practice.
- Suicide is devastating and can impact anyone.
- Everyone can be impacted by suicide.
- Suicide had recognizable warning signs and predictable factors
- Suicide is largely preventable through- awareness, education, planning, intervention, and treatment.
- Every person, family, school, church, business, & community should have a suicide prevention plan.
What causes suicide?
There is no specific cause for suicide, but there are possible situational risk factors that can lead to someone struggling with suicidal thoughts.
Situational Risk Factors
- Loss of job
- Financial crisis
- Death of a close relative, loved one, or friend – especially if by suicide
- Loss of freedom or anticipated loss of freedom
- Loss of significant/ important relationship or anticipated loss of the relationship
- Easy access to lethal means
- Isolation – lack of social connectiveness
- Diagnosis of serious terminal illness
- Fear of becoming a burden on loved ones
Historical Risk Factors
- Previous attempts – critical factor
- History of depression
- Alcohol & substance abuse
- Family history of depression
- Family history of suicide
- Child abuse
- Barriers to accessing mental health treatment
Environmental Risk Factors
- Isolation
- Lack of social connectiveness
- Access to lethal means
Warning Signs
There is no specific cause for suicide, but there are possible situational risk factors that can lead to someone struggling with suicidal thoughts.
Someone struggling with suicide might:
Say
- Talk about wanting to die
- Post on social media about wanting to die
- Talk about feeling hopeless
- Talk about having no purpose
- Talk about being trapped in unbearable pain
- Talk about being a burden on others
Do
- Search online for ways to kill themselves
- Increase use of drugs and alcohol
- Show rage
- Talk about seeking revenge
- Sleep too little or too much
- Engage in reckless behavior
- Seek access to lethal means
- Withdraw from favorite activities
- Give away prized possessions
- Call to say goodbye or make amends
- Put affairs in order
- Suddenly start going to church or dropping out of school
Feel
- Extreme mood changes
- Depression
- Sadness
- Anger/ Agression
- Emotionally hurt
- Hopelessness
- Worthless
- Anxious, agitated
- Shame
- Isolated
- Like a failure
Indirect Verbal Cues
- I wont be around much longer
- My family would be better off without me
- I’m tired of life
- It really doesn’t matter anymore
- Who care if I die anyway
What to do if you're concerned?
If you are concerned for yourself or someone you know visit our resources page to learn about the different resources and methods there are out there to help you.