Suicide Warning Signs and Risk Factors
** If you are in immediate danger of harming yourself, please call 988 (in the U.S.) or your local emergency number right away. **
Note from the author: Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge this incredibly important topic. You may be helping to save a life. I have written this in hopes of reaching someone in need; even if just one person. Or perhaps reaching someone who knows someone in need. I write this for all of you, because you are important.
I have created a series of articles around this topic. Additional articles include:
This article will discuss:
Warning Signs of Suicide to Watch For and Risk Factors
Warning Signs and Risk Factors
What should you watch for that may indicate someone is experiencing suicidal ideation? There are several key behavioral, emotional, and verbal indicators. As well, there are several risk factors that are important to know about. Here is a comprehensive, but not exhaustive, list of warning signs and risk factors:
Warning Signs
Verbal statements of hopelessness:
“I don’t think things will ever get better.”
“There’s no point in trying anymore.”
“I feel like I’m trapped and nothing will change.”
“I have lost hope for the future.”
“What’s the use? Nothing I do matters.”
“I don’t see any reason to keep going.”
Cognitive Themes You Might Hear When Someone Is Hopeless:
Global, permanent statements: “Everything is ruined.” or “This will always be this way.”
Catastrophizing about the future. “It will only get worse.”
Negative predictions about self. “I’m always going to be a failure”
Overgeneralizing from one event. “Because this happened, everything is hopeless.”
Emotional and Affective Expressions:
Flat or blunted affect combined with statements like “I don’t care anymore.”
Tearfulness while saying, “I can’t cope with this any longer.”
Numbness paired with comments such as “Nothing matters to me now.”
Behavioral Signs That Can Reflect Hopelessness:
Withdrawing from friends and activities/hobbies that used to matter.
Stopping self-care or basic routines, then saying “I don’t have the energy or see the point.”
Giving away possessions or making arrangements without explanation.
Suddenly losing interest in future plans (canceling goals, quitting job/school).
Engaging in self harm behavior such as cutting one's self.
Ceasing or neglecting personal hygiene or grooming for an extended period
Increasing frequency of absenteeism from work, school, or appointments.
Sudden decision to give away pets, or asking if someone would take care of them if something happened to the person.
Risky or reckless behaviors that suggest indifference to safety, such as driving dangerously or substance binges.
Frequent statements of resignation paired with disengaged behavior, such as agreeing to plans but never following through.
Spending significant time researching or planning methods of self-harm, even if not verbalized.
Increased sleep disturbance patterns: sleeping nearly all day or severe insomnia with daytime dysfunction.
Avoiding future-oriented tasks (not making future appointments; refusing to plan or set goals).
Sudden calm after a period of depression or down mood.
Written or Digital Expressions:
Social media posts like “I can’t keep doing this.” or “I wish I could disappear.”
Journal entries that say “There is no point.” or outline only bleak outcomes
Things a Person Might Say About Meaning or Purpose:
“I feel empty and like nothing has meaning.”
“My life has no purpose anymore.”
“I can’t find anything to be hopeful about.”
Subtle or Indirect Expressions:
Frequent statements of fatigue about life: “I’m tired of fighting.”
Comments that minimize future possibilities: “I guess this is just my life now.”
Repeated pessimistic remarks without asking for help
Risk Factors
Risk factors are things that increase the likelihood or risk of someone attempting suicide or engaging in self harming behavior.
Individual Risk Factors:
Previous suicide attempt(s) [This is the strongest predictor]
History of self-harm behaviors
Mental health disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, PTSD)
Substance use disorders (alcohol, drugs)
Chronic physical illness or pain
Traumatic brain injury or neurological conditions
Hopelessness or helplessness
Impulsivity or poor self-control
Family history of suicide or mental illness
Psychological and Cognitive Risk Factors:
Rigid, all-or-nothing thinking
Catastrophic beliefs about the future
Low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness
Perfectionism with perceived failure
Poor problem-solving or coping skills
Environmental and Social Risk Factors:
Access to lethal means such as firearms or medications. * In the U.S., firearms are the most common method of suicide. In 2023, 55% of suicides were completed with the use of firearms (CDC, 2024) *
Recent loss (death of loved one, breakup, divorce)
Social isolation or lack of supportive relationships
Bullying, harassment, or discrimination
Unemployment, homelessness, or financial stress [including the recent/unexpected loss of savings/retirement]
Exposure to suicide (friends, family, social media, television programming and movies)
History of abuse, neglect, or trauma
Incarceration or legal problems
Demographic Risk Factors:
Adolescents and young adults [especially 15-24]
Older adults [particularly men 65+]
Men [higher rates of death by suicide than women]
LGBTQ+ individuals facing rejection or discrimination [especially LGBTQ+ youth]
Veterans and active military members
Native Americans/Alaska Native and some rural populations [higher prevalence rates]
Communities experiencing systemic racism, socioeconomic stress, discrimination, and limited access to culturally responsive mental health care
Situational or Acute Risk Factors:
Recent psychiatric hospitalization or discharge
Sudden change in behavior
Marked increase in substance use
Exposure to major stressors [e.g., academic failure, relationship breakdown, eviction]
Humiliation or shame experiences
I know, that is a lot of information. I considered minimizing the list but feel that it is important that each warning sign and risk factor get the attention they need. If any of this sounds like you or someone you may know, there are several things you can to do seek help. There is hope. Please see my following article in this series on Helping Yourself and Others.
Further Reading
Here are some additional articles I have posted that follow this information that continue this topic for further reading:
References In order to keep this article readable I have not included the in-text citations, but the references used are included below.American Psychological Association. (2023). Warning signs of suicide. https://www.apa.org/topics/suicide/warning-signsCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Suicide data and statistics. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/data/index.htmlNational Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Suicide prevention. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-preventioSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Suicide prevention. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.samhsa.gov/suicidWorld Health Organization. (2023). Suicide. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide