Warning Signs
This sudden change in mood from depressed to calm can sometimes mean someone has decided to try suicide.
What is a sudden mood improvement.
This is a risk factor involving family history, or prior attempts, that raises risk for future suicide.
What is prior attempt(s) or family history of suicide?
A direct, nonjudgmental question you can ask that gives someone a chance to open up about thoughts of ending their life.
What is “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” or “Are you having thoughts of suicide?”
The term for thinking about, planning, or attempting to end one’s life.
What is suicidal ideation/behavior?
Strong social connections, supportive family, and safe school or workplace environments are examples of this.
What are protective factors?
Frequently saying things like “I wish I were gone” or “You’d be better off without me.”
What are statements of hopelessness or suicidal ideation?
TRUE or FALSE: Asking someone about suicidal thoughts will make them more likely to try.
What is false
After you ask and they say yes, the next step is to do this: stay with them and try to make sure they are not left alone.
What is ensure immediate safety/stay with them and remove access to means?
This term describes a non-fatal self-directed behavior with the intent to die.
What is a suicide attempt?
This personal skill, involving managing stress and bouncing back from setbacks, reduces suicide risk.
What is resilience or coping skills?
Giving away prized possessions, writing farewell notes, or organizing affairs could be this kind of sign.
What are behavioral warning signs?
TRUE or FALSE: Sudden loss of a relationship, job, housing, or legal trouble can increase suicide risk.
What is True
If someone is in immediate danger, you should do this instead of leaving them to get help alone.
What is call emergency services (or take them to an emergency room) and/or contact your local crisis line?
This neutral phrase is recommended instead of saying someone “committed suicide,” because it reduces stigma.
What is “died by suicide”?
Access to this type of care mental health treatment, medication when appropriate, and follow-up can lower risk after an attempt.
What is timely and effective mental health care/treatment?
Withdrawal from friends, hobbies, or regular activities combined with hopeless talk this cluster suggests elevated concern.
What is social withdrawal plus hopelessness
TRUE or FALSE: Most people show no warning signs before suicide
What is false
This short structured way of setting a near-term plan includes identifying people they can call, coping strategies, and steps to reduce risk. It’s often used by clinicians and trained helpers.
What is a safety plan?
Among U.S. adults, this gender is about four times more likely to die by suicide, while the other gender makes more attempts.
What are men (more deaths) and women (more attempts)
Restricting access to these at-home items (like certain medications, firearms) is a recommended safety strategy.
What is means restriction?
This term describes actions someone takes that increase the chance of harm to themselves or others and can signal a higher risk of suicide.
What is risk behavior
TRUE or FALSE: Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10–24
What is true
This professional-level action includes asking about intent, plan, means, and timeframe it is essential when assessing risk.
What is conducting a risk assessment (asking about intent, plan, means, timeframe)?
When someone dies by suicide, people close to them may be at increased risk during this period, which emphasizes the importance of postvention support.
What is the bereavement or postvention period
This community level protective practice trainng people to recognize and respond to suicide warning signs across a school, workplace, or neighborhood.
What is gatekeeper training or community education?