Be Aware of the Warning Signs

By some estimates, four out of five people who complete suicide have tried to warn others of their intent through verbal statements, written notes, demonstrating a preoccupation with death or other behavior indicating that they are planning to end their life. Fortunately there are some common warning signs which, when acted upon, can save lives. A suicidal youth may:

    * Talk about suicide, death, and/or no reason to live
    * Be preoccupied with death and dying
    * Withdraw from friends and/or social activities
    * Have a recent severe loss (especially relationship) or threat of a significant loss.
    * Experience drastic changes in behavior
    * Lose interest in hobbies, work, school, etc
    * Prepare for death by making out a will (unexpectedly) and final arrangements
    * Give away prized possessions
    * Have attempted suicide before
    * Take unnecessary risks; be reckless, and/or impulsive
    * Lose interest in their personal appearance
    * Increase their use of alcohol or drugs
    * Express a sense of hopelessness
    * Be faced with a situation of humiliation or failure
    * Be faced with a disciplinary crisis
    * Have a history of violence or hostility
    * Have been unwilling to “connect” with potential helpers

Firearms remain the most commonly used suicide method among youth, regardless of race or gender, nearly accounting for almost 60% of completed suicides. Research has shown that the access to and the availability of firearms is a significant factor in the increase of youth suicide. Research has shown that most adolescent suicides occur in the afternoon or early evening and in the teen’s home. The typical profile of an adolescent nonfatal suicide attempter is a female who ingests pills; while the profile of the typical suicide completer is a male who dies from a gunshot wound.The information on this page has been adapted from the following sources:

Information on this page has been adapted from the following sources:

American Association of Suicidology website: “Youth Suicide Fact Sheet”
American Association of Suicidology website: “Some Facts About Suicide in the U.S.A.”
American Association of Suicidology website: “Understanding and Helping the Individual”
State of Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention. Recent data provided by the Office of Suicide Prevention via correspondence.
The Colorado Trust, “Preventing Suicide in Colorado.”
State of Colorado Suicide Prevention and Intervention Plan, The Report of the Governor’s Suicide Prevention Advisory Commission. November 1998.