Warning Signs

Suicide: Signs to Watch For

Sometimes, a suicidal person may give little indication that they plan to commit suicide, but here are some signs you should know about.

Has the person had a close relative (like a parent) commit suicide?

Has the person attempted suicide in the past?
Does the person talk about or threaten suicide?

Does the person show signs of depression, such as:

mood changes (gradual, or sudden)

changes in behavior (gradual or sudden)

gain or loss of weight

lack of interest in a favorite activity or sports team (be concerned if a child or teenager who is a great sports fan suddenly loses interest in his/her favorite team)

lack of interest in life in general

changes in a child’s behavior patterns

trouble sleeping, or excessive sleeping

poor concentration or indecisiveness

withdrawing from others

lack of self-confidence or low self-esteem

tiredness

agitation

hopelessness

Is the person:

showing sudden interest in insurance, wills, burial plots, etc.?

Note: you should be especially concerned about the signs above if the person has tried to commit suicide before, or if the person has had a close relative (like a parent) commit suicide.

Home

Depression, a leading cause of suicide	Warning signs of suicide	Training materials on police suicide
Setting up a suicide prevention program for your department	Links to other sites with information on suicide/stress/mental health	If someone you know has committed suicide
Myths about suicide	Who We Are	Contact Us

IMPORTANT NOTE: nothing on this web page or any other web page by the Police Suicide Prevention Association, or in any link or other web page linked to a Police Suicide prevention Association Web Page, constitutes medical, psychiatric, or psychological advice or treatment, or legal advice. Nothing in such web pages or links is intended to replace such advice or treatment.

NIE 04/09/2001