Warning Signs

Suicide is complex and determined by multiple combinations of factors, such as mental illness, substance misuse, trauma, painful losses, exposure to violence, and social isolation.

Below are the warning signs of suicide for youth and adults. Act if you notice these signs among a family members, friend, neighbor, coworker, or others. Suicide risk is greater if a behavior is new or has increased, and if it seems related to a painful event, loss, or change.

Suicide Warning Signs for Youth

• Talking about or making plans for suicide.
• Expressing hopelessness about the future.
• Displaying severe or overwhelming emotional pain or distress.
• Changing or withdrawing from social connections or situations.
• Changes in sleep (increased or decreased).
• Anger or hostility that seems out of character or out of context.
• Recent increased agitation or irritability.

Suicide Warning Signs for Adults

• Talking about or making plans for suicide.
• Acting anxious, agitated, or behaving recklessly.
• Talking about being a burden to others.
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Sleeping too little or too much.
• Withdrawing or feeling isolated.
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
• Displaying extreme mood swings.

To learn more about warning signs for suicide, what to do if you observe these signs, and how to get help for yourself or others, visit Preventing Suicide.

Print Materials

• Suicide Warning Signs for Adults Notecards (Also available to order)
• Suicide Warning Signs for Adults Notecards in Spanish
• Suicide Warning Signs for Youth Notecards (Also available to order)
• Suicide Warnings Signs for Youth Notecards in Spanish
• Suicide Warnings Signs for Youth Poster

Prevention Resources

• Preventing Suicide

Create a Safety Plan

• Create a Safety Plan
• Create a Safety Plan in Spanish
• Build a Safety Plan: Video
• Build a Safety Plan (1 minute, 24 seconds)