What do suicidal youth feel ?

Youth who are contemplating suicide often feel worthless, alone, unloved, unlovable, and they may actually believe that they are a burden on their parents. They feel misunderstood and judged by their peers and by adults. They are often ultra sensitive to criticism, scared to make mistakes, and feel unable to cope. They believe that these feelings will last forever and that nobody can help them.

Warning signs

Youth suicide and suicidal thoughts or behaviour might seem like it appears out of the blue, but in reality, youth almost always present prior warning signs. The following signs could be clues that a youth might be considering suicide.

Warning signs you might see:

• Signs of depression or feelings of hopelessness
• Lack of interest or energy (or wild variations in energy levels)
• Changes in eating habits or sleep patterns
• Loss of concern about personal appearance
• Increase in anxiety or anxiety related illnesses (head aches, stomach aches)
• Any dramatic changes in behaviour, actions, or attitude
• Being unusually quiet or unusually aggressive/angry
• Dropping out of hobbies, sports, school, or job
• Talking about death or cult figures who died by suicide
• Preoccupation with death, dying, or suicide *
• Expressing a preoccupation with death or suicide *(creative writing, poetry, artwork)
• Making jokes about death or suicide *
• A sudden elated mood following a time of depression *
• A previous suicide attempt *
• Serious talk of suicide or making a plan *
• Engaging in risk taking behaviour (driving recklessly, unsafe sex) *
• Increase in alcohol or drug use *
• Giving away prize possessions, saying good-bye, writing a will, writing farewell letters *

(* Indicates the more serious warning signs)

Warning signs you might hear:

Often a youth who is considering suicide will give clues through their comments. If you hear a youth make statements like these take them seriously.

• "Nothing ever goes right for me."
• "It'll all be over soon."
• "Whatever, nothing matters anyway."
• "I might as well kill myself"
• "I hate life" *
• "Everyone would be better off without me" *
• "I just can't take it anymore." *
• "I wish I was dead." *

(* Indicates the more serious warning signs)