- Sudden changes in a person’s usual pattern of relating to others
- Disinterest in the future
- Significant personal changes (absence from work or poor work performance apathy about appearance/dress, etc.)
- Changes that suggest depression or other mental health problems
- Self-harm and suicide attempt/s (self-mutilation, such as cigarette burns and cutting oneself)
- Impulsive and risk-taking behaviour
- Making final arrangements(making will, giving away possessions, saying goodbye)
- Direct or indirect expressions about wanting to die (‘I wish I were dead’; ‘I’d like to go to sleep and never wake up’)
- Consistently high levels of anxiety and anger; preoccupied with thoughts of death and dying
- Threatening to hurt or kill themselves
- Struggling with a sense of hopelessness
- Having problems with rage, anger, or seeking revenge
- Engaging in risky activities
- Feeling trapped, like there is no way out
- Using drugs or alcohol to smother the feelings of hopelessness
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Troubled with anxiety, agitation, inability to sleep or excessive sleep
- Subject to dramatic mood changes
- Having no reason for living or purpose in life
Any suicidal thought or act of deliberate self-harm points to significant distress for the person. It also poses a potential risk of injury or death and as such should be taken seriously, especially when working with people with a mental illness, as these individuals are at greater risk of suicide than the general population
CRISIS SUPPORT NUMBERS
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact the following crisis services:
Emergency 000
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
MensLine 1300 78 99 78
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467