Joy Hibbins is the founder and CEO of Suicide Crisis, a charity which runs a Suicide Crisis Centre with a zero suicide achievement. Her book “Suicide Prevention Techniques: How A Suicide Crisis Service Saves Lives” has just been published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide
1. Understandably, families and friends didn’t always realise that casual, “off-the-cuff” remarks about suicide can be an indicator of increased risk.
We found examples of this during our research. One man had said to a friend “I might as well kill myself” a few days before he died. Another person had said “I don’t know why I don’t just kill myself” a few days before their death.
2. If a person appears brighter in mood after a period of depression, people understandably may take reassurance from this. However, this can be a warning sign. In our research into deaths by suicide, a number of patients appeared “brighter in mood” after a period of depression, when they attended their final GP appointment a few days before they died. The GPs took this as a sign that they were coming out of their depression. However, there are reasons why this can be an indicator of increased risk.
i. A person may appear brighter in mood when they have made a decision to end their life. They may feel a sense of relief that their suffering is about to end. Some people even present as euphoric when they have made the decision to end their life.
ii. When the person’s mood starts to improve a little, they may gain the energy needed to end their life, which was lacking while deeply depressed
More warning signs are below. Please note that everyone’s presentation is unique, however.
Warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide
(This list is not exhaustive and people’s presentation can vary a lot. Please contact us for further explanation of the list.)
1. Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves (even if the remarks are made in a quite casual or off-the-cuff manner)
2. Withdrawing from people; isolating themselves
3. Saying that they are a burden, or that people would be better off without them
4. Talking negatively about themselves: “I’m nothing” “I feel I have nothing to offer”
5. No longer doing activities or things that were important to them
6. Showing signs of clinical depression which can include low mood, tearfulness, loss of motivation, loss of energy, changes in appetite, change in sleep patterns, loss of interest in their appearance, not washing or getting dressed
7. Talking about feeling a loss of hope, that things can never improve or that there is no reason to live
8. Talking about feeling trapped in a situation: “I can’t see any way out of this”
9. A change in behaviour, including displaying reckless behaviour or episodes of anger, or using drugs or alcohol. Or conversely becoming more withdrawn and quiet.
10. A sudden lift in mood after a period of depression could indicate that the person has made a decision to end their life
Pay particular attention if these signs happen after a recent painful or traumatic event, or after a loss or change (such as a relationship breakup, death of a loved one, loss of a job, starting a new university course) or in relation to stressful events such as upcoming exams.
If you are concerned about someone, it’s important to ask them about suicide “Have you been having any suicidal thoughts?” It will not put the idea into their head. It will give them the opportunity to disclose their risk and will allow you to get help for them.
For more information about the charity and its crisis services : http://www.suicidecrisis.co.uk
The publisher (Jessica Kingsley Publisher) is paying all royalties from sales of the book “Suicide Prevention Techniques: How A Suicide Crisis Service Saves Lives” to the charity Suicide Crisis.
Please contact Joy if you would like to feature an article about suicide risk factors. The contact telephone number is: 07889 420200.
Suicide Crisis is a registered charity which runs a Suicide Crisis Centre and a Trauma Centre.
We have been providing services for over five years and have never had a suicide of a client under our care.
Suicide Crisis is a registered charity (charity no. 1170444)
Registered as a charity in England and Wales.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SuicideCrisisCentre
Twitter: @SuicideCrisis
Suicide Crisis
07975 974455
[email protected]