Signs Your Loved One may be Suicidal

I'm making this post for people whose loved ones are dealing with tough life issues or mental illness who worry they may begin thinking about dying or suicide.

I've been there myself, so I know some of these things firsthand.

If you or a loved one is dealing with anything hard right now, it will pass. Things always pass, good and bad, and the way our life is right now will change someday. Never lose hope, and never give in to tempting thoughts.

Here is a list of warning signs that someone is suicidal (I am not an expert but I have heard experts list some of these things and some of these are signs that I displayed when I goin ghtrough my depression.)-

- Their mood suddenly changes. They may actually become happier or calmer because they have finally found a "way out". They may also become sadder or more anxiou sbecause whatever they're dealing has become worse, which is why they feel suicidal.

- They start acting in dangerous, risky, or irresponsible ways. In their mind, they are going to be dead soon, so the consequences of risky behavior don't or won't matter. They may stop doing chores or responsibilities because they are pointless.

- They really start tidying up their house or bedroom, and may give away a lot of their possessions to loved ones, and throw out or donate them. They won't be needing their possessions anymore, so they are getting rid of them so their family doesn't have to spend time sorting through them later. They are giving their things to loved ones so they have something sentimental to remember them with.

- They suddenly spend a lot of time with their family and friends, start telling them how much they love them, etc. They want your last memory with them to be full of love and happiness. They will start saying to you what they want you to know before they 'leave'.

- They also might isolate themselves. They feel stuck, lost, and hopeless, and they do not have the energy to deal with people. They might feel guilty abou tany time they spend with loved ones because they don't want them to get too joyful or sentimental just to leave them.

- They talk about feeling hopeless or worrthless. Their life is going nowhere but straight down. They will never do anything with themselves. They feel like they are a burden on others or that they have no worth. The one factor that all suicide attempts have in common is that the person feels like a burden on those around them.

- They stop participating in school or work. This might be a sign of severe depression or suicidality. Not only do they not have the energy for it, there is no point anymore.

- Talking abou the future makes them anxious. When you bring up future plans, career or college stuff, or other things they get anxious, nervous, or they try to change the subject. They avoid talking abou the future.

I hope this list helps. If someone you know is in crisis, there numbers listed below will help-

United States: 1-800-273-8255
Australia: 131114
United Kingdom: 08457909090
Canada: 1.833.456.4566, 5147234000 (Montreal); 18662773553 (outside Montreal)
Ireland: +4408457909090
New Zealand: 0800543354

Thank you for sharing this. I could (in theory) write a long post in response. Currently I am dealing with some of those thoughts also so my brain is not aware or engaged enough to write a long, insightful post with my opinions.