Suicide thoughts and behaviour cont.
Psychological signs can include feelings of being trapped, desperation, anger, guilt, worthlessness, loneliness, sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, or dramatic changes in mood. Verbal signs can include a young person talking or writing about death or suicide. They may say things like: – “All of my difficulties will be over soon.” – “There’s nothing that anyone can do to help me now.” – “I just can’t cope anymore.” – “I wish I’d never been born.” – “Everyone will be better off without me.” Behavioural signs can include withdrawal from family, from friends, or from schoolwork, loss of interest in hobbies, or sleeping significantly more or less. Behavioural signs can also include the following that indicate the young person may have made a plan to die by suicide: – Saying goodbye to loved ones in subtle ways such as giving possessions away – Using suicide chat rooms or pro-suicide internet sites – Looking for ways to die by suicide (seeking access to pills, weapons, or other means) – Increasing alcohol or other drug use or engaging in reckless activities (284) Act promptly if you think someone is considering suicide. Even if you only have a mild suspicion that the young person is experiencing suicide thoughts, you should still approach them.
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