Isolating themselves from family or staying away from people they enjoy spending time with.Giving away things that are valuable to them.Withdrawing from things that they love to do.Talking or joking about suicide, “I wish I were dead.” “I can’t take it anymore.” “I’ll just kill myself.” “You’ll miss me when I am gone.” Always take this seriously!.How do I know if my loved one is suicidal? Behaviors to watch for: Ask your loved one if there is something he or she has thought of using for suicide. There are other ways people end their lives. You can call Poison Control at 80 to find out a safe amount of medication to keep on hand.Īlcohol and drugs in the home increase the risk of suicide. Poisons and medications: Removing poisons, pills or any medications, including over-the-counter, everyday medications is important. This is true even if the guns are locked up. The presence of a gun in the home of a young person doubles the chance that they will die from suicide.
Many police departments have free gun locks that are given to anyone who asks for them. Typically, young people know where keys are hidden and what the pass codes or PIN numbers are.
Change the combination code take gunlock keys and any ammunition out of the home. If you are unable to remove the weapons from the home, make sure that they are locked up securely. More than half of all suicide deaths are the result of a gunshot wound. Call your local police department for more information. If you are unable to find a safe place to store them, most police departments will hold your firearms for safekeeping. Ask a relative, neighbor, or friend if they can hold them for you. Guns: Firearms should be removed from the home. It is important to make your home as safe as possible, especially if your loved one is experiencing severe stress, anxiety or depression. What should I remove from my home right now? It will give them permission to talk about it with you. If these feelings become too much to cope with, it is best to get help.Īsk directly about suicide. Take the time to listen, and remind them that overwhelming and confusing feelings are a normal part of being an adolescent. This is why talking with them, and getting comfortable with the uncomfortable questions, is important. It can be difficult to distinguish between normal adolescent moodiness and more serious emotional problems. In their transition from childhood to adulthood, they live constantly with conflicting feelings, and this is normal. Young people are figuring out who they are in comparison to their parents, siblings, and other important people in their lives. They may look more like adults than kids, but don’t think or act like adults. Their moodiness can be exhausting!Īdults often find it difficult to keep up with all the emotional and physical changes adolescents experience.
Why are adolescents so moody?Īdolescent years are confusing for everyone. They are experiencing severe emotional pain, and are desperate for the pain to go away.
With help, your loved one can feel well again.
Seeking professional help is a big step toward easing the emotional pain. However, the pain makes it difficult to think clearly, consider options, or remember reasons to stay alive. Suicidal people often believe that they have tried everything to stop the pain.
( Download and print the Toolkit) Do suicidal people want to die?