Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk
If you are concerned for the immediate safety of yourself and/or others, call 911.
It is a myth that asking someone about suicide actually creates suicidal thoughts. Talking to individuals about suicide does not increase their risk.
Quick LinksSuicide Warning Signs
Suicide Risk Factors
Responding Dos and Don’ts
What You Can Say
24-Hour Resources
Suicide
It is a myth that asking someone about suicide actually creates suicidal thoughts. Talking to individuals about suicide does not increase their risk. If you are concerned for your immediate safety or the immediate safety of others, please call 911.
Suicide Warning Signs
While no one can predict with great accuracy who may attempt suicide, the following signs may indicate a risk of suicidal behavior.
• Verbalizing suicidal thoughts and feelings. Someone at risk for suicide may also express thoughts and feelings about death in writing or artwork.
• Depression. Being clinically depressed increases a person’s risk of suicide. Signs of depression include: Depressed, sad or down mood. Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and/or worthlessness. Insomnia or excessive sleeping. Significant loss or gain of appetite or weight. Difficulty concentrating. Decreased interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. Restlessness, irritability or excessive crying. Previous suicide attempts. Preoccupation with death.
• Significant loss. This can be the loss of a loved one, a relationship, physical health, or of any important aspect of a person’s life.
• Alcohol or drug abuse, or an increase in alcohol/drug use. This can lead to poor judgment, impulsivity, and a loss of inhibition.
• Having a suicidal plan. The more specific the plan, the higher the risk.
• Giving things away or making final arrangements.
• A significant change in behavior (e.g., mood, acting out) or functioning (e.g., academic, social, occupational).
Suicide Risk Factors
• Previous suicide attempts
• Substance abuse
• Untreated mental illness
• Lack of social support
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Feeling like a burden to others
• Impulsivity
• Access to lethal means (i.e. firearms, pills, etc.)
• Recent loss or tragic event
Responding Do’s and Don’ts
RESPONDING DOs
- Call 911
- Stay calm
- Trust your intuition
- Listen carefully
- Take concerns seriously
- Take your time
- Know your limitations
- Consult appropriately
- Ask direct questions
- Provide resources
- Encourage person to access professional support
RESPONDING DON’Ts
- Ignore the warning signs
- Leave the person alone
- Minimize the situation
- Promise confidentiality
- Judge or criticize
- Make the problem your own
- Involve yourself beyond your limits
- Endanger yourself
- Argue or try to change the individual’s emotions
What You Can Say
ASK DIRECTLY ABOUT SUICIDE:
•“Are you thinking of suicide?”
• “Are you considering harming/killing yourself?”
• “Have things gotten so bad that you don’t care if you live or die?”
24-Hour Resources
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE SAFETY OR THE IMMEDIATE SAFETY OF OTHERS, CALL 911.
| Resources | Phone | Website |
| National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-273-TALK (8255) | suicidepreventionlifeline.org |
| Crisis Text Line | Text GA to 741741 | https://www.crisistextline.org/text-us/ |
| Georgia Crisis Access Line | 1-800-715-4225 | www.georgiacollaborative.com/ providers/georgia-crisis-and-access-line-gcal |
| Veterans Crisis Line | 1-800-273-8255 | www.veteranscrisisline.net |
| The Trevor Project (For LGBTQ+ young people under 25 | 1-866-488-7386 | www.thetrevorproject.org |
| LGBT National Hotline (For LGBTQ+ of all ages, not 24 Hour) | 1-888-843-4564 | https://www.glbthotline.org/national-hotline.html |
| The Steve Fund Text Line (For young people of color) | Text STEVE to 741741 | www.stevefund.org/crisistextline |
| National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Additional Hotlines, not all 24 hour) | www.namiga.org/resources/crisis-info-2 |
Last updated: 1/28/2021
JED Campus Member
JED Campus is a nationwide initiative of The Jed Foundation designed to help colleges and universities enhance emotional well-being and mental health promotion efforts, reduce substance abuse, and prevent suicide among students.