Invitations, Risks and Protective Factors of Suicide

Use a Suicide Risk Screening:

If you are concerned about someone, offer a simple risk screening. Please reference the Columbia Protocol as a resource.  

The answers help users identify whether someone is at risk for suicide, determine the severity and immediacy of that risk, and gauge the level of support that the person needs.

 

Signs Someone May Be Having Thoughts of Suicide

The behaviors listed below may be some of the signs that someone is thinking about suicide.

Talking about:

• Wanting to die
• Great guilt or shame
• Being a burden to others

Feeling:

• Empty, hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live
• Extremely sad, more anxious, agitated, or full of rage
• Unbearable emotional or physical pain

Changing behavior, such as:

• Making a plan or researching ways to die
• Withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items, or making a will
• Taking dangerous risks such as driving extremely fast
• Displaying extreme mood swings
• Eating or sleeping more or less
• Using drugs or alcohol more often

If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently.

(Source: National Institute of Mental Health)

Warning Signs of Suicide (English | Español)

Learn more about risk and protective factors for suicide

 

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