Suicide: what are the warning signs?
Suicide is a tragic event for families, friends and the entire community. Education about suicide and its prevention is the first step in reducing its incidence.
What are the risk factors for suicide?
There are a number of factors that increase a person’s risk of suicide, and often these factors occur in combination. Some of the risk factors include:
- having a mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia;
- having a personality disorder;
- abusing illicit drugs or alcohol;
- a family history of suicide or mental illness;
- having previously attempted suicide;
- having a chronic or disabling illness;
- being in financial difficulties, including unemployment and homelessness; and
- having easy access to lethal means, e.g. firearms.
Men are more likely to commit suicide than women, even though women have a higher rate of suicidal behaviour. (Suicidal behaviour includes attempted suicide and suicidal gestures — suicide plans and actions that are unlikely to be fatal.)
What are the warning signs of suicide?
Some possible warning signs of suicide include:
- making direct or indirect threats about committing suicide;
- references to, or a preoccupation with, suicide and death;
- changes in personality or appearance;
- lack of motivation and interest in future activities;
- changes in eating and sleeping habits;
- a dramatic drop in performance at school or work;
- feelings of guilt and low self-esteem;
- strange or irrational behaviour; and
- saying goodbye or ‘putting affairs in order’.
Helping someone at risk of suicide
It is important to remember that every suicide attempt or threat should be taken seriously.
If you are dealing with someone who is contemplating (or has attempted) suicide:
- It is important to listen and not be judgemental;
- Let the person know that you are concerned and that you are there to help;
- Make sure that they get professional help from a doctor, psychiatrist, counsellor or other health care professional they feel comfortable with;
- Don’t try to counsel the person yourself;
- Don’t leave the person alone;
- Remove access to any items that could be used as a means of suicide, including weapons, alcohol, medicines and other drugs; and
- In an emergency, call 000 for the ambulance service, or police if the person has a weapon.
| National Helplines | |
|---|---|
| If you or someone you know is depressed and/or having suicidal thoughts, see your doctor, or phone one of these helplines. | |
| Lifeline (24 hours) | 13 11 14 |
| Kids Helpline (under 18 years of age) | 1800 55 1800 |
| Just Ask - rural mental health information | 1300 13 11 14 |
| Mensline Australia (24 hours) | 1300 78 99 78 |
| SANE Helpline - mental illness information, support and referral | 1800 18 SANE (7263) |
Last Reviewed: 16 December 2009
- 1. Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention. Suicide: Risk and Protective Factors. Last updated 10 September 2009. Available from: http://www.mcsp.org.au/suicide/factors (Accessed 21 December 2009).
2. Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention. Suicide: Indicators of Risk. Last updated 10 September 2009. Available from: http://www.mcsp.org.au/suicide/indicators (Accessed Dec 2009).
3. Lifeline. Toolkit for helping someone at risk of suicide. Available from: http://www.lifeline.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/14177/Lifeline_SuicidePrevention_Toolkit_Feb09.pdf (Accessed Dec 2009).
4. SANE. Sane Steps: How to help when someone is suicidal. Available from http://www.sane.org/factsheets/sane_steps%3a_how_to_help_when_someone_is_suicidal.html (Accessed Dec 2009).
5. SANE. Suicidal behaviour and self-harm. How to help. Available from: http://www.sane.org/factsheets/suicidal_behaviour_and_self-harm.html (Accessed Dec 2009).
