As September is Suicide Prevention Month and as it comes to an end, officials are urging that suicide awareness continue.
Miles Riley with Community Mental Healthcare says if your child mentions suicide, don’t shrug it off.
Riley says it’s important to keep communication open and adds that education is key.
There are a number of suicide warning signs:
- Appearing depressed or sad most of the time.
(Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide.) - Talking or writing about death or suicide.
- Withdrawing from family and friends.
- Feeling hopeless.
- Feeling helpless.
- Feeling strong anger or rage.
- Feeling trapped — like there is no way out of a situation.
- Experiencing dramatic mood changes.
- Abusing drugs or alcohol.
- Exhibiting a change in personality.
- Acting impulsively.
- Losing interest in most activities.
- Experiencing a change in sleeping habits.
- Experiencing a change in eating habits.
- Losing interest in most activities.
- Performing poorly at work or in school.
- Giving away prized possessions.
- Writing a will.
- Feeling excessive guilt or shame.
- Acting recklessly.
According to suicide.org roughly 75% of people who commit suicide showed some kind of warning sign.
Overall, it’s best to always talk to your children about how they are feeling. Be there for them and pay attention to any sudden changes in their behavior.
