Warning Signs & What to Do
Warning Signs1
- Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
- Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means
- Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
- Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge
- Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities - seemingly without thinking
- Feeling trapped - like there's no way out
- Increasing alcohol or drug use
- Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
- Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
- Experiencing dramatic mood changes
- Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life
What to Do?2
- Be supportive, not dismissive.
- Know your limits. If you are talking with someone who has specific ideas about
how they would end their life, connect them with a COUNSELING CENTER. - Know your resources.
- PEER Project (209-664-6962)
- CSUS Counseling services (209-667-3381)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255)
- Get support - don't do it alone. If you talk with someone about their suicidal
thinking, it's important for you to talk to someone else. Ideally, that person has some
experience dealing with challenging topics, so that they can be supportive of you.
Resources: