Are There Any Warning Signs?
There is no black and white answer to why one commits suicide, but there are suicide warning signs. If you are concerned that a loved one may be suicidal, watch for changes in behavior or the development of entirely new behaviors. You should be most concerned if the new or changed behaviors are connected to a painful loss or event. It is rare for people who take their own lives to not exhibit some sort of warning sign through words or action.
Suicide most often occurs when hopelessness and despair take over one’s life due to clashing health issues and stressors. Undiagnosed and untreated depression is the most common contributor to suicide along with anxiety and unaddressed substance abuse.
Talk, Mood and Behaviors
There are red flags related to suicide prevention awareness. Take note if someone you love talks about: feeling hopeless, having no reason to live, being a burden to others, unbearable pain, feeling trapped, or of course, killing themselves.
When one is considering suicide there are certain moods that may be expressed: anxiety, depression, irritability, loss of interest in things, shame and humiliation, swings between anger and agitation to relief and sudden improvement.
These are behaviors that one may exhibit: fatigue, isolating from friends and family, sleeping too little or too much, withdrawing from activities, increased use of drugs or alcohol, increased aggression, looking for ways to end their life, calling and visiting people to say goodbyes, giving away cherished possessions.
Genetics and family history can also play a role in suicide, increasing suicidal behaviors among family members up to 55%. Exposure to suicide, i.e., witnessing the act of a family member commit suicide or finding the aftermath, also increases the risk of suicidal behavior.
Socio-economic and family issues also contribute to suicide risk. Homelessness, poverty, unemployment, childhood sexual abuse, loss of a loved one, mental and physical abuse, social isolation, and other life stressors can all increase the risk of suicide, with sexual abuse alone contributing 20% towards the overall likelihood of suicide.
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