Suicide is a very complex issue and it is hard for people who are not in the that mental space to understand the loved one that might be there. Suicide prevention is possible when you watch for and recognize the signs and rather than hiding from such issues talking about them. It is important to encourage people with suicidal thoughts to seek professional help.

2. Over 1 million people a year commit suicide. Up to 20 million more make the attempt. Men are more likely to do it than women.
There are a number of reasons for them. Mental ill-health like depression is one of the leading reasons, but also things like
stressful events that push people to the limit like divorce or job loss or ill health. People do not see any other way to end their pain.
There are often warning signs though so that people around can take steps for suicide prevention when they know what to look for.
Warning signs of suicide
Here are some of the signs to look out for in your friends and family if you are concerned about their mental health and are worried
about suicidal thoughts;

3. • Being withdrawn - Someone being more withdrawn from family and friends and being distant when spoken to can be a sign
of depression and potentially suicidal thoughts.
• Changes in personality - The person might not act like themselves.
• Expressing a lot of shame or guilt - In the conversations they do have they might express feelings of shame, emptiness and
guilt.
• Being preoccupied with suicide or death - A person might talk a lot about death in general, from funerals, what problems
dying would bring to the family, ways of dying and so on.
• Substance abuse - Any reliance on alcohol or drugs.
• Strange behaviour and irritability - Being irritated, anxious, crying, having panic attacks all of a sudden out of the normal.
Then being forgetful, distracted and almost absent at others.
• Expressions of worthlessness and hopelessness - Another of the warning signs of suicide is the person often expressing the
idea that they are worthless and have nothing to offer and that nothing will get better.

4. • Not sleeping or eating properly - People not eating well and not being able to sleep might be having suicidal thoughts.
• Having no interest in things they once liked - Where once they liked to read, walk on the beach, paint and so on, now they
have lost interest in anything even things they did with loved ones.
• Sorting out their affairs - If they are making arrangements for their belongings, preparing a will, talking about their own
funeral, giving away property to loved ones.
• Not performing as well at school or work - If they are missing work or school frequently, and when they do attend they are
not performing well.
• Expressions of anger and acts of recklessness - People might lash out, break things, make rash choices, act enraged, driving
too fast, drinking too much and so on.
Summary
Suicide is a very complex issue and it is hard for people who are not in the that mental space to understand the loved one that
might be there. Suicide prevention is possible when you watch for and recognize the signs and rather than hiding from such issues
talking about them. It is important to encourage people with suicidal thoughts to seek professional help.

5. https://sptsusa.org