2008 Woodie Awards
Ask Annie
Issue date: 4/18/07 Section: Life
According to WebMD.com here are some Common Suicide Risk Indicators:
-A previous suicide attempt; even if it seemed staged or designed to get attention, or boasts of past or secret suicide attempts.
-Talks about being dead or wishing they were dead, how others would be happier if he/she were dead or how much better off everyone else would be if he/she were gone.
-Repeatedly participating in risky or dangerous thrill seeking behavior; such as reckless driving, engaging in unsafe sex, and increased use of drugs and/or alcohol might indicate that the person no longer values his or her life.
-Making preparations or getting things in order - making plans for the care of children, siblings, parents or pets and giving away cherished belongings. This might also include visiting friends and family members, making a will, and cleaning up his or her room or home. Some people will write a note before committing suicide.
-Extreme mood swings; very depressed episodes followed by happy episodes with no clear reason for the change.
-Regular expressions or worthlessness, helplessness, sadness and/or loneliness.
-Drastic changes in habits, friends, or appearance, for example; new friends, skipping school, dropping out of favorite activities, and no longer caring about appearance or cleanliness.
-Changes in weight, sleeping habits, and physical activity.
-Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities that once gave the person pleasure or a since of identity.
-Recent trauma or life crisis such as the death of a loved one or pet, divorce or break-up of a relationship, diagnosis of a major illness, loss of a job, or serious financial problems.
Again if you see your friend displaying two or more of these behaviors seek the help and guidance of the people who are best able to help your at-risk-friends get the help they need. I hope this was helpful,
-Annie
USA National Suicide Hotlines: 1-800-SUICIDE* 1-800-273-TALK
Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-564-2120
Please send all questions to isuaskannie@gmail.com
-A previous suicide attempt; even if it seemed staged or designed to get attention, or boasts of past or secret suicide attempts.
-Talks about being dead or wishing they were dead, how others would be happier if he/she were dead or how much better off everyone else would be if he/she were gone.
-Repeatedly participating in risky or dangerous thrill seeking behavior; such as reckless driving, engaging in unsafe sex, and increased use of drugs and/or alcohol might indicate that the person no longer values his or her life.
-Making preparations or getting things in order - making plans for the care of children, siblings, parents or pets and giving away cherished belongings. This might also include visiting friends and family members, making a will, and cleaning up his or her room or home. Some people will write a note before committing suicide.
-Extreme mood swings; very depressed episodes followed by happy episodes with no clear reason for the change.
-Regular expressions or worthlessness, helplessness, sadness and/or loneliness.
-Drastic changes in habits, friends, or appearance, for example; new friends, skipping school, dropping out of favorite activities, and no longer caring about appearance or cleanliness.
-Changes in weight, sleeping habits, and physical activity.
-Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities that once gave the person pleasure or a since of identity.
-Recent trauma or life crisis such as the death of a loved one or pet, divorce or break-up of a relationship, diagnosis of a major illness, loss of a job, or serious financial problems.
Again if you see your friend displaying two or more of these behaviors seek the help and guidance of the people who are best able to help your at-risk-friends get the help they need. I hope this was helpful,
-Annie
USA National Suicide Hotlines: 1-800-SUICIDE* 1-800-273-TALK
Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-564-2120
Please send all questions to isuaskannie@gmail.com
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