Warning Signs
Warning signs are those behaviors or statements that indicate that an individual is at imminent risk for suicide or suicidal behaviors. More often that not, those individuals who are contemplating suicide will give some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member. Hence, all suicide threats, gestures, and attempts must be taken seriously.
Should you witness, hear, or see anyone exhibiting any one or more of the following, get help IMMEDIATELY by contacting a mental health professional, calling your college’s emergency number, or calling 1-800-273-8255(TALK), the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, for a referral:
* Someone threatening to hurt or kill him/herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself
* Someone looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means
* Someone talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
Should you witness, hear, or see someone you know exhibiting any one or more of the following, seek help AS SOON AS POSSIBLE by contacting a mental health professional, calling your college’s emergency number, or calling1-800-273-8255(TALK), the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, for a referral:
* Hopelessness
* Rage, uncontrolled anger, or seeking revenge
* Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
* Feeling trapped – like there’s no way out
* Increased alcohol or drug use
* Withdrawing from friends, family and society
* Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
* Dramatic mood changes
* Expressing no reason for living or no sense of purpose in life
If you cannot reach the contacts listed above during a crisis:
* Take the individual to an emergency room or mental health walk-in clinic
* Do not leave the person alone until professional help is with him/her
* Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt
Resources
Help is often available on or around campuses through the following resources:
* Student counseling center
* Student health service
* Resident hall director, dean, academic advisor, tutor, or faculty
* Campus religious or spiritual leader
* Community mental health center
* Local crisis center or hotlines
Other resources for information about suicide include:
* American Association of Suicidology
202-237-2280
www.suicidology.org
* American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
888-333-2377
www.afsp.org
* American Psychiatric Association
800-35-PSYCH
www.psych.org
* American Psychological Association
800-374-2721
www.apa.org
* The Jed Foundation
212-647-7544
www.jedfoundation.org
* National Institute of Mental Health
800-421-4211
www.nimh.gov
* National Mental Health Association
800-989-6642
www.nmha.org
* National Suicide Prevention Hotline
800-273-8255(TALK)
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
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If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be at risk for suicide, we strongly encourage you to do one or more of the following:
* Contact a mental health provider on your campus or in your community
* Call 1-800-273-8255(TALK), the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, for a referral
* Call your college’s emergency number
* Call 911
TAKING ACTION SAVES LIVES
