Warning Signs of Suicidal Behavior

Know the Signs, Save a Life

Suicide is the act of causing harm to oneself with the intent to end life. While suicide and suicide ideation do not have a single cause, certain factors can increase one’s risk such as unaddressed mental health issues.

Fortunately, having a close-knit group of friends and loved ones can help provide the proper support and protect others from their negative thoughts and feelings. In light of Suicide Prevention Month, the health experts at Southwest General are here to share the signs and symptoms to look out for to help save a life.

Common Behavioral Changes

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), roughly 12 million people seriously contemplate suicide, 3.5 million make a suicide plan, and 1.4 million attempt suicide annually. With such shockingly high numbers, it is important for people to pay attention to their loved ones to help protect them from suicide.

While people can show signs of suicide ideation in different ways, here are some of the most commonly reported behavioral and emotional changes:

• Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves
• Talking about being a burden
• Sudden changes in sleeping habits
• Changes in eating habits
• Having extreme mood swings
• Talking about feeling trapped
• Expressing feelings of hopelessness
• Looking for ways to hurt themselves
• Acting recklessly
• Isolating themselves
• Showing signs of rage or revenge
• Giving away their belongings
• Posing or writing about suicide

How to Intervene

If you notice any of the signs and symptoms listed above in a loved one, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text SIGNS to 741741 for anonymous, free counseling. If you think the person is going to hurt or kill themselves soon, and you need immediate assistance, call 911 for emergency services.

Primary and Specialty Care in Ohio

The Southwest General Medical Group, Inc. includes both primary care and specialty care physicians who are committed to providing patients with high-quality medical care. Our team of board-certified specialists and skilled physicians work to raise the bar for excellence in health care service for our community. To learn more about our primary and specialty care services or to schedule an appointment, visit our website.