Warning Signs of Suicide

The following short article was written by a doctor who specializes in the area of suicide. Although no one warning sign is an indicator, there is a strong likelihood that those teens contemplating suicide will display one or more of the following signs. While this is not a complete list of every warning sign, it is a fairly comprehensive list. 

The most important thing is to not ignore these signs if they are present. Contact a hospital or qualified individual to let them know what you have noticed.

Recognizing teen suicide warning signs  

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Suicide is alarmingly common. It is the third leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 24.  While boys are more likely than girls to commit suicide, teens of both genders and all ages are at risk for suicide. It is especially tragic that the three leading causes of death in teens and young adults -- accident, homicide, and suicide -- all are preventable. Parents of teens should be aware of some of the warning signs of depression and suicide. The American Academy of Pediatrics describes the following signs that may signal that a depressed teen may be considering suicide:

• withdrawal from friends and family members
• trouble in romantic relationships
• difficulty getting along with others
• changes in the quality of schoolwork or lower grades
• rebellious behaviors
• unusual gift-giving or giving away own possessions
• appearing bored or distracted
• writing or drawing pictures about death
• running away from home
• changes in eating habits
• dramatic personality changes
• changes in appearance (for the worse)
• sleep disturbances
• drug or alcohol abuse
• talk of suicide, even in a joking way
• having a history of previous suicide attempts