Start the Conversation: Warning Signs
"Suicide. The word suicide catches people’s attention. The truth is that suicide catches everyone’s attention. It’s the actions that lead up to suicide that often go unnoticed." - Allison kidd
According to the National Institute for Mental Health, four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs. When we hear statistics like this, many questions surface such as:
How did I not notice that?
Why didn’t they just say something?
Kids say “I just want to kill myself” all the time, how do I know if they really mean it?
Some might even think, those “signs” aren’t really a cry for help, they’re just to get attention.
People in crisis don’t think, “I’m going to act different to get people’s attention”. Often times, people struggling to make it through the day are more focused on hiding their symptoms than publicly displaying them.
Some people, however, do want you to notice those behavioral changes as a cry for help. They may not be able to verbalize their needs so they suffer on the inside, struggling to acknowledge and admit to others that they need help. This is their way of gaining that attention that they so desperately need in order to take action and get help.
Know the warning signs:
Warning signs are clues that people exhibit that caution us something isn’t right, and we should investigate further. Individuals might already display some of these behaviors on a regular basis with no concern noted. The real concern lies when behaviors are new, out of the ordinary for a person's character, or have increased in frequency or severity.
The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide created the acronym F.A.C.T.S. to detect the warning signs for suicide. This is a helpful reminder of what to look for in your friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, or yourself.
Feelings: different from the past
hopelessness- having no reason to live & like they don’t belong
trapped & helplessness- like there is no way out
worthlessness- like they don’t serve a purpose & that they are a burden to others
anxious/worried/nervous/angry often- having the fear of losing control of their emotions
Actions: different from the way they normally act
talking about death or suicide- subtle comments about “it would be easier if”, “I should just”, “it won’t ever get better”
dangerous risk taking- sexually acting out, adrenaline seeking activities, behaving recklessly
withdrawing from activities or sports
using drugs/alcohol
Changes: in personality, behaviors, sleeping patterns, eating habits
loss of engagement with friends/family
loss of interest in some of their favorite activities
sudden improvement after being down or withdrawn
giving up on themselves- hygiene, personal growth, self-care
Threats: that convey a sense of hopelessness, worthlessness, or preoccupation with death
plans like giving away favorite things
studying ways to die, obtaining a weapon or supply of pills
suicide attempts through overdosing or cutting
extremely self-hating statements
Situations: that can serve as "trigger" points for suicidal behaviors
humiliations, rejections, failures
getting in trouble at school/work/home/law
impending changes for which they might feel scared or unprepared (break-up, fired from a job, death of a loved one)
loss of something meaningful to them (a friend, family member, sense of security, financial changes, home)
No matter the reason for behavior changes, mental health and suicide should always be taken seriously. If someone mentions that 7 letter word or is acting in a way that you are concerned about, START THE CONVERSATION with them about how to safety plan and get action. If you yourself are experiencing uncomfortable thoughts, images, thinking patterns, or changes in mood and behaviors, START THE CONVERSATION with yourself and a trusted individual.
Know the signs, start the conversation. One conversation can change a life. #starttheconversationkc
Allison Kidd, LSCSW, LMAC
Teen Therapist
MORE BY ALLISON
