Learn about suicide warning signs

Understanding suicidal warning signs

A person thinking about suicide may show warning signs that indicate they are distressed and overwhelmed. These signs vary from person to person, and some people may exhibit several at once. 

Below is a list of common warning signs that could indicate someone is at risk of suicide and needs support. You should take all warning signs seriously. 

If you or someone you know is at immediate risk or in an emergency, please call 000. 

Physical changes

• Loss of physical energy
• Loss of interest in personal hygiene or appearance
• Major changes to sleeping patterns, too much or too little
• Sudden and extreme changes in eating habits, either loss of appetite or increase in appetite
• Weight gain or loss

Behaviours

• Unexplained crying
• Emotional outbursts
• Sudden mood swings
• Alcohol or drug misuse
• Uncharacteristic risk-taking or recklessness
• Increasing irritability
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Quitting activities that were previously important
• Prior suicidal behaviour
• Self-harming
• Putting affairs in order e.g. giving away possessions, especially those that have special significance for the person
• Writing a suicide note or goodbye letters to people
• Preparing to enact their suicide plan

Conversational signs

• Escape: “I can’t take this anymore.”
• No future: “What’s the point? Things are never going to get any better.”
• Trapped: “I feel like there’s no way out of my situation.”
• Guilt: “It’s all my fault, I’m to blame.”
• Alone: “I’m on my own, no-one cares about me.”
• Damaged: “I’ve been irreparably damaged”, “I’ll never be the same again.”
• Helpless: “Nothing I do makes a bit of difference”, “It’s beyond my control.”
• Burden: “I feel like I am a burden and everyone would be better off without me”, “I am not worth the effort.” 
• Threatening to hurt or kill themself
• Talking about suicide or death
• Planning for suicide.

Feelings

• Despair
• Sadness
• Anger
• Shame
• Guilt
• Worthlessness
• Powerlessness
• Loneliness
• Isolation
• Disconnection
• Hopelessness.

Responding to suicide signs

Suicide warning signs can be unique to a person, as not everyone reacts the same way. The one thing that is typically similar is that they all involve some degree of change: change from what is usual for the person. 

If you notice one or more suicidal warning signs, take action: express your concern, listen without judgement, and ask if you can help.  

Speak up if you are worried

If you are concerned about someone and you’re unsure whether they are having suicidal thoughts, the best way to find out is to ask.   

Sometimes people are worried that they might ‘put the idea of suicide into the person’s head’ if they ask about suicide. In fact, giving someone the opportunity to express their feelings can provide relief from loneliness and pent-up negative feelings. 

You can’t make a person suicidal by showing that you care. 

Find a quiet place to start the conversation and tell them about some of the things you’ve noticed recently that have you feeling concerned about them. Below are some ways to get started.   

Ways to start a conversation about suicide

• I have been concerned about you lately.
• I wanted to check in with you because you haven’t seemed yourself lately. Do you want to talk?
• Listen to what they have to say without judgement

Asking about suicidal thoughts

• Are you considering suicide?
• Are you having thoughts of wanting to die?

Questions you can ask the person

• How long have you been feeling this way?
• How can I best support you right now?

What you can say to show you care

• You are not alone in this. I’m here for you.
• I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel, but I care about you and want to help.

For more tips on having the conversation with someone you are worried about, read our resource on How to talk to somebody about suicide.

If you don’t think you can start the conversation, talk to someone who can help, such as a family member, friend, or health professional. You can also call a helpline like Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 for advice.

Assessing the risk of suicide

If a friend or family member tells you that they are thinking about suicide, you can try to evaluate the risk. 

Those at the highest risk will have the INTENTION to end their life; a specific PLAN, the MEANS and a TIMEFRAME.

The following questions can help you assess the person’s risk:

• Do you intend to take your life? (INTENTION)
• Do you have a plan to take your life? (PLAN)
• Do you have access to the means to carry the plan out? (MEANS)
• Do you have a timeframe for taking your life? (TIME-FRAME)

If the person is at high risk of suicide, seek immediate help by calling 000.

Where to go for support

If someone is suicidal, encourage them to get help as soon as possible. Start by asking the person if they have any supports available, such as a health professional providing treatment or a family member who knows how they are feeling. 

You can also support them in contacting services available in their state or territory. These include local emergency services, GPs, community health services, hospitals and helplines.  

You can also read more about developing a suicide safety plan, which is a plan to help keep the person safe.

Health professionals

You can encourage the person to access support from their GP or a mental health professional: 

• If they already have a GP, encourage them to make an appointment as soon as possible. Their GP can conduct a mental health assessment and offer referrals to specialists such as psychologists and psychiatrists. 

• The Healthdirect website has a service finder for GPs, health professionals, and health services. 

• The Medicare Mental Health website can help anyone find the right mental health services and resources for their situation. 

24/7 helplines

These helpline services are free and available 24/7: 

• Suicide Call Back Service – for counselling support call 1300 659 467 

• Lifeline – for crisis support call 13 11 14 

• 13YARN – for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support call 13 92 76 

• Kids Helpline – for children, teens, and young people call 1800 55 1800

In an emergency

If you are with someone who is in immediate danger, or concerned for their safety in any way:

• Call 000 and request an ambulance. Stay on the line, speak clearly, and be ready to answer the operator’s questions.
• Visit your local hospital’s emergency department.
• Do not place yourself in danger.

If you are worried about someone, and need someone to talk to, call the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 to speak to a counsellor or click the chat button on the right for online counselling. The service is free, and our counsellors are available 24/7.

If it is an emergency, please call 000.