Suicide is preventable. That is not a platitude — it is a documented fact supported by decades of research. But prevention requires awareness, and awareness begins with knowing what to look for.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), there is no single cause for suicide. It most often occurs when stressors and health issues converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide — and it is often undiagnosed or untreated.
Warning Signs: What to Watch For
AFSP organizes warning signs into three categories: what someone says, how they behave, and what their mood looks like.
Talk: If someone talks about killing themselves, feeling hopeless, having no reason to live, being a burden to others, feeling trapped, or experiencing unbearable pain — take it seriously. These are not cries for attention. They are calls for help.
Behavior: Behaviors that may signal risk include increased use of alcohol or drugs, withdrawing from activities and relationships, sleeping too much or too little, visiting or calling people to say goodbye, giving away prized possessions, and extreme fatigue.
Mood: People considering suicide often display depression, anxiety, loss of interest, irritability, humiliation or shame — or, paradoxically, a sudden and unexplained sense of calm or relief after a period of severe depression.
Risk Factors and Protective Factors
Risk factors include mental health conditions, substance use, previous attempts, family history of suicide, childhood trauma, and prolonged stress. Protective factors include access to mental health care, feeling connected to family and community, and strong problem-solving and coping skills.
If you are concerned about someone, do not wait. Ask directly. Listen without judgment. Help connect them to professional support. And if there is immediate danger, call 911 or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988).