Suicide
Warning signs of suicide
Source: NHS
In this topic (6)
Sometimes there may be obvious signs that someone is at risk of attempting suicide. However, this is often not the case.
High-risk warning signs
A person may be athigh risk of attempting suicide if they:
- threaten to hurt or kill themselves
- talk or write about death, dying or suicide
- actively look for ways to kill themselves, such as stockpiling tablets
If the person has previouslybeen diagnosed with a mental health condition, contact a member of their care team or the centre or clinic where they were being treated.
If you don't have these details, contact your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department and ask for the contact details of the nearest crisis resolution team (CRT). CRTs are teams of mental healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses, who work with people experiencing severe psychological and emotional distress.
While waiting for help to arrive, remove any possible means of suicide from the person'simmediate environment, such as medication, knives or other sharp objects, household chemicals, such as bleach and ropes or belts.
For more information about CRTs, the charity Rethink Mental Illness has a crisis teams factsheet you can download.
Other warning signs
Aperson may also be at risk of attempting suicide if they:
- complain of feelings of hopelessness
- have episodes of sudden rage and anger
- act recklessly and engage in risky activities with an apparent lack of concern about the consequences
- talk about feeling trapped, such as saying they can't see any way out of their current situation
- Self-harm including misusing drugs or alcohol, or using more than they usually do
- noticeablygain or lose weight due to a change in their appetite
- become increasingly withdrawn from friends, family and society in general
- appear anxious and agitated
- areunable to sleep or they sleep all the time
- have sudden mood swings a sudden lift in mood after a period of depression could indicate they have made the decision to attempt suicide
- talk and act in a way that suggests their life has no sense of purpose
- lose interest in most things, including their appearance
- put their affairs in order, such as sorting out possessions or making a will
If you notice any of these warning signs in a friend, relative or loved one, encourage them to talk about how they are feeling.
Also share your concerns with your GP or a member of their care team, if they are being treated for a mental health condition.
Read moreabout helping someone with suicidal feelings .
Articles for Suicide
Getting help
If you've had suicidal thoughts recently, or if you're feeling suicidal now, contact someone for help.
Improving your mental health
It's impossible to guarantee you will never get a mental health condition, but you can take steps to improve your mental health.
Introduction
Suicide is the act of intentionally ending your life. If you're reading this because you have, or have had, thoughts about taking your own life, it's important you ask someone for help.
Offering support to someone who's feeling suicidal
One of the best things you can do if you think someone may be feeling suicidal is to encourage them to talk about their feelings and to listen to what they say.
Warning signs of suicide
Sometimes, there may be obvious signs that someone is at risk of attempting suicide, although this is not always the case.
Why people attempt suicide
Despite being a leading cause of death, both in England and worldwide, there is little hard evidence to explain why some people attempt suicide.
