• Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill oneself;
• Looking for ways to kill oneself, or getting access to the means to kill oneself;
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose;
• Talking about feeling trapped, helpless, or in unbearable pain;
• Talking about being a burden to others;
• Shows a preoccupation with death or dying;
• Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities;
• Giving away prized possessions or making final arrangements;
• Writing a suicide note or saying goodbye to people;
• Increased use of alcohol and/or drugs;
• Acting anxious, agitated, impulsive, or reckless;
• Sleeping too little or too much;
• Withdrawing from others or feeling isolated;
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge;
• Displaying extreme mood swings or changes in personality;
• Experiencing a recent trauma or significant loss.

People can be more at risk for suicide if they have already been diagnosed with a mental illness, if they have had a close family member or friend complete suicide, if they are unmarried or unemployed, if they have a chronic medical illness or chronic pain, or if they lack social support.

Two additional risk factors are:

• A previous suicide attempt, and
• Having a specific, organized plan of how they would attempt suicide.

For more information: www.asklistenrefer.org/stlcc