According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the more of these symptoms a person shows, the greater the risk. The following warning signs are associated with suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die
• Displaying extreme mood swings
• Feeling isolated or withdrawing from social environments
• Seeking ways to kill oneself
• Showing anger or discussing revenge
• Sleeping too much or not enough
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose to live
• Sharing notions of feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Talking about being a burden on people
• Acting anxious, agitated or reckless

What to Do and Resources

If someone you know shows these warning signs, follow these steps:

• Do not leave the person alone
• Stay calm to respond more effectively and to reduce their anxiety or agitation
• If the situation becomes dire or dangerous, call 911 or take them to an emergency room
• Seek help from a medical or mental health professional
• Do not minimize the situation or depth of feeling e.g. “It will get better tomorrow.”
• Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt
• Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Call the San Francisco Suicide Prevention Center at 415-781-0500
• Call the SF State clinical counseling office at 415-338-2208