Warning Signs and Risk Factors
Most suicidal youth give signs of their distress,
although not all show warning signs.
Warning signs
Most suicidal youth show signs of their distress, although some do not.
If your child is showing changes such as these, he or she may be at risk for
self-harm:
- Talking about suicide or a plan for suicide.
- Saying things like, “I’m going to kill myself,” “I wish I were dead,”
“I shouldn’t have been born,“ “I won’t be a problem for you much longer,”
“Nothing matters,” or “It’s no use.”
- Making statements about hopelessness, helplessness or worthlessness.
- Complaining of being a bad person or feeling “rotten inside,” refusing
help or feeling beyond help. Not tolerating praise or rewards.
- Giving away favourite possessions or making a will.
- Being preoccupied with death.
- Showing a loss of interest in pleasurable activities or things they
once cared about. Always feeling bored.
- Showing marked personality changes and serious mood changes.
Withdrawing from friends and family.
- Having trouble concentrating or difficulties with school work.
- Complaining frequently about physical symptoms often related to
emotions, such as stomach aches, headaches or fatigue. Changes in eating and
sleeping habits.
- Showing impulsive behaviours, such as violent actions, rebellious
behaviour or running away.
- Becoming suddenly cheerful after a period of depression (may mean the
youth has already made the decision to escape their problems through
suicide).
All suicidal thoughts or threats must be taken seriously, as should any
behaviour that is out of character for your child. Trust your instincts. If
you are concerned, tell others about it.
Get help from family, friends,
clergy, teachers, counsellors, doctors, crisis lines, mental health services
or hospital emergency departments.
Risk factors
Youth are more likely to consider suicide if they have some of these
factors:
- Previous suicide attempt or gesture.
- Family History of suicidal behaviour.
- Feelings of hopelessness or isolation.
- Psychiatric disorders or mental illness.
- Substance use or abuse.
- Life stressors, such as interpersonal losses and legal or
disciplinary problems.
- Physical abuse.
- Sexual abuse.
- Sexual orientation (gay, lesbian and trans-gendered).
- Juvenile delinquency.
- School or work problems.
- Contagion or imitation (the suicide of a friend or exposure to media
reports of suicide).
- Chronic physical illness.
- Living in isolation.
- Access to more lethal means, such as firearms and medication.
- Impulsive behaviours.
- Homelessness.
Some youth in minority or marginalized groups have an increased risk of
suicide.
Warning Signs and Risk Factors
Most suicidal youth give signs of their distress,
although not all show warning signs.
Warning signs
Most suicidal youth show signs of their distress, although some do not.
If your child is showing changes such as these, he or she may be at risk for
self-harm:
- Talking about suicide or a plan for suicide.
- Saying things like, “I’m going to kill myself,” “I wish I were dead,”
“I shouldn’t have been born,“ “I won’t be a problem for you much longer,”
“Nothing matters,” or “It’s no use.”
- Making statements about hopelessness, helplessness or worthlessness.
- Complaining of being a bad person or feeling “rotten inside,” refusing
help or feeling beyond help. Not tolerating praise or rewards.
- Giving away favourite possessions or making a will.
- Being preoccupied with death.
- Showing a loss of interest in pleasurable activities or things they
once cared about. Always feeling bored.
- Showing marked personality changes and serious mood changes.
Withdrawing from friends and family.
- Having trouble concentrating or difficulties with school work.
- Complaining frequently about physical symptoms often related to
emotions, such as stomach aches, headaches or fatigue. Changes in eating and
sleeping habits.
- Showing impulsive behaviours, such as violent actions, rebellious
behaviour or running away.
- Becoming suddenly cheerful after a period of depression (may mean the
youth has already made the decision to escape their problems through
suicide).
All suicidal thoughts or threats must be taken seriously, as should any
behaviour that is out of character for your child. Trust your instincts. If
you are concerned, tell others about it.
Get help from family, friends,
clergy, teachers, counsellors, doctors, crisis lines, mental health services
or hospital emergency departments.
Risk factors
Youth are more likely to consider suicide if they have some of these
factors:
- Previous suicide attempt or gesture.
- Family History of suicidal behaviour.
- Feelings of hopelessness or isolation.
- Psychiatric disorders or mental illness.
- Substance use or abuse.
- Life stressors, such as interpersonal losses and legal or
disciplinary problems.
- Physical abuse.
- Sexual abuse.
- Sexual orientation (gay, lesbian and trans-gendered).
- Juvenile delinquency.
- School or work problems.
- Contagion or imitation (the suicide of a friend or exposure to media
reports of suicide).
- Chronic physical illness.
- Living in isolation.
- Access to more lethal means, such as firearms and medication.
- Impulsive behaviours.
- Homelessness.
Some youth in minority or marginalized groups have an increased risk of
suicide.