Suicide Warning Signs and Risk Factors Everyone Should Know [Infographic]

Mental health advocacy groups have shared warning signs and risk factors for suicide. Here’s what to look for in a loved one.

7:00 AM

Author | Kevin Joy

The warning signs before suicide aren't always clear, nor are they universal or from a single cause.

MORE FROM MICHIGAN: Sign up for our weekly newsletter

Still, across the board, mental health experts say certain behaviors shouldn't be ignored.

"Paying attention to suicide warning signs and responding with empathy and support is key to helping individuals get needed help," says Meg Jennings, LMSW, a social-work supervisor for Michigan Medicine.

If you think someone is in danger of committing suicide, don't leave them alone; call 911 immediately. And if you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Here are some signals that might indicate a person is in trouble:
More Articles About: Preventative health and wellness Mental Health Assessment Mental Illness Depression Mental Health
Health Lab word mark overlaying blue cells
Health Lab

Explore a variety of health care news & stories by visiting the Health Lab home page for more articles.
Media Contact Public Relations

Department of Communication at Michigan Medicine

[email protected]

734-764-2220

Stay Informed

Want top health & research news weekly? Sign up for Health Lab’s newsletters today!

Subscribe
Featured News & Stories woman in dark room holding head window blinds shadow on her
Health Lab
Depression too often gets deemed ‘hard to treat’ when medication falls short
A diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression can lead to a sense of hopelessness and despair in some patients, researchers say.
Health Lab
How to Help College Students Counteract Depression and Anxiety
The executive director of the U-M Depression Center talks about its mission to better equip young people to deal with the stresses of college life.
Health Lab
After ’13 Reasons Why,’ a Spotlight on Teen Suicide Warning Signs
Thirteen Reasons Why spotlights how teen suicidal behavior is complicated. Learn the warning signs of depression and suicidal thoughts and how you can help.
 A family discussing their family's medical history at Thanksgiving
Health Lab
Why you need to discuss your family health history at Thanksgiving
The holidays are a great time to discuss your family's medical history. Learn the importance of discussing your family's health history and how to bring it up.
Health Lab
Hosting guests with food allergies: 6 tips for a safe meal
Food allergies can be life threatening. To prepare for big family gatherings around eating, a patient's mother shares her kid's story and a Michigan Medicine food allergy expert provides simple advice for hosts to follow.
 Minding Memory with a microphone and a shadow of a microphone on a blue background
Minding Memory
Can a personalized music intervention reduce behavioral disturbances in dementia?
While memory loss is generally thought of as the hallmark of dementia, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia like agitation, aggression, anxiety, and hallucinations are nearly universal, affecting almost all patients with advanced dementia. These behavioral disturbances are often the trigger for nursing home placement, and they can be highly distressing for both patients and their care partners. In today’s episode, Matt and Lauren speak with Dr. Ellen McCreedy, a researcher from the Brown School of Public Health who has conducted a study of personalized music intervention called Music & Memory for people living with dementia in nursing homes. Dr. McCreedy is a gerontologist and health services researcher who focuses on evaluation of non-pharmacologic interventions for managing behavioral disturbances of people living with dementia.