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It’s OK to Talk
to About Suicide: Warning Signs and Risk Factors
In support of
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we are sharing weekly emails and
content about various aspects of suicide, such as warning signs, risks
factors and the resources available to you and your family. It is our
hope that we can provide you with valuable and timely information to help
when most needed.
Please share
this important information with your loved ones!
Suicide
Prevention and Awareness Series: What
Should You Look For?
Here are some
suicide risk factors and warning signs you should be on the lookout for!
Risk Factors
- Prior
suicide attempt – the leading risk factor!
- Family
history of suicide – those whose parent or sibling died by suicide
are two and half times more likely to commit suicide.
- Undiagnosed
mental illness – nearly half the people who die by suicide have not
been diagnosed with a mental health condition.
- Life
stressors – these issues have an impact: relationship
problems, divorce, marriage, unemployment, serious financial or
legal problems, or death of a loved one.
- Substance
abuse - those with substance abuse issues have a 10-14 times greater
risk of suicide.
Warning Signs
LISTEN – if they are:
- Talking
or writing about death or suicide.
- Making
comments about being hopeless, worthless, or helpless.
WATCH – if you see:
- Increase
in alcohol or drug use.
- Dramatic
mood changes or trouble sleeping and eating.
- Withdrawal
from regular activities or from family, friends, and community.
REMEMBER – this important information:
- Loss
– the pandemic has heightened the need to be aware, as experiencing
recent loss and grief is a risk and warning.
- Impulsivity
- studies find 50% of suicide attempts are impulsive and nearly half
decide minutes before they act.
Suicide is
preventable. If you need help, please call your EAP today to speak with a
counselor.
Source: Data from: American Psychiatric Association
and NAMI.
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