Spotting the Red Flags for Suicidal Risks & Who Are Most Likely To Commit Suicide?

Suicide refers to the act of taking one’s own life. It is not possible to see what any person is feeling inside, which is what makes it so challenging to identify when someone is going through a rough time and having suicidal thoughts. However, there can be many outward warning signs that indicate that a person might be thinking about committing suicide. Here are some ways in which you can spot the red flags for suicidal risks.

Here are some of the potential red flags or warning signs for suicide:^{(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)}

• Long-lasting severe sadness or depression, moodiness, and unexpected and violent rage.^{(6, 7)}
• Feelings of deep hopelessness about the future and having very little expectation about the situation improving.^{(8, 9, 10)}
• Severe sleeping problems, including an inability to sleep for several days.^{(11, 12, 13)}
• Dealing with a divorce, separation, or breakup of a long-term relationship.^{(14, 15)}
• Loss of job, money, home, self-esteem, or status. A major and sudden life crisis like this may be a trigger for a suicide attempt. Diagnosis of a major illness, loss of job, home, or serious financial problems can push a person towards suicide.^{(16, 17)}
• Alcohol or drug abuse.^{(18, 19, 20, 21)}
• Mental health condition.^{(22, 23, 24)}
• Withdrawing from the social circle. Choosing to be alone and making extraordinary efforts to avoid friends and taking part in social activities. These are also possible signs of depression, which is one of the leading causes of suicide. This can also include the loss of pleasure in hobbies or activities that the person enjoyed in the past.
• Sudden change in personality or appearance. A person who is contemplating suicide may display a change in behavior or attitude, such as suddenly speaking or moving with unusual slowness or speed. Furthermore, the person may suddenly show very less concern about how they look and their overall appearance.
• They may exhibit dangerous or self-harming behavior. Potentially harmful behavior such as reckless driving, increased use of alcohol or drugs, practicing unsafe sex, and other such behaviors may be a red flag that the person no longer has any concern for their life.
• It is important to know that a person who is thinking of committing suicide may start to put their personal things and business in order. This may include visiting family members and friends, making a will, giving away personal things, and even cleaning up their home or room. Some people may even start writing notes for their family and friends before committing suicide. Some people may buy poison or firearms.
• Some people may even start threatening or talking openly about ending their life. Nearly 50 to 75 percent of people who are thinking about suicide actually do give a warning sign to their close friends or family members. While it is never an outright open threat, it is usually included in their talks. You may find that they are talking an unusual amount about life after death, how no one will notice they are gone, or even about general death. However, of course, not everyone who is considering suicide will talk about it. And also, not everyone who threatens with suicide will actually follow through with it. However, every threat of suicide needs to be taken seriously.

Another unique sign that a person might be contemplating suicide can be the onset of sudden calmness. If you find them suddenly becoming calm, especially after a period of moodiness or depression can also be a huge sign that the person has decided to go ahead and end it all.

In today’s world, suicide rates are the highest among young adults, teenagers, and the elderly. Surprisingly, white men over the age of 65 years are known to have the highest rate of suicide.^{(25, 26)}

Suicide rates are also found to be significantly higher in the following:

• People who have tried to commit suicide in the past.
• Older adults who have lost a spouse.
• People with a history of suicide in the family.
• People with a history of emotional, sexual, or physical abuse.
• People with a friend or colleague who has committed suicide.
• People who are prone to violent outbursts or impulsive behavior.
• People with long-term disability, pain, or terminal illness.
• People who have recently been released from a psychiatric hospital. The time following the release is usually a very difficult period of transition for such people.
• People in certain professions like health care providers and police officers.
• People with alcohol or substance abuse problems.

Statistics show that women are nearly three times more likely to try suicide as compared to men. However, men are much more likely to go through with the act of suicide than women.^{(27, 28)}

It is not possible to prevent suicide all the time. However, the risks of suicide can certainly be reduced if there is a timely intervention. Research has shown that the best way to try to prevent suicide is by being aware of the risk factors and being alert to any red flags, such as signs of substance abuse, depression, and any mental disorders.

Recognizing the warning signs for suicide and staging an intervention before the person is able to go through with the act.

If you know someone who is exhibiting any of the warning signs of suicide, don’t be afraid to ask them if they are depressed, feeling angry, taking drugs, or thinking about suicide. You can also recommend that they consult a therapist or doctor for the treatment of depression or other medical conditions.

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