Recognising the warning signs of suicide

Depression carries a high risk of suicide. Anybody who expresses suicidal thoughts or intentions should be taken very seriously.  If you have had suicidal thoughts, The Samaritans operate a service that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 08457 90 90 90. Childline runs a free helpline for children and young people in the UK. The call is free and the number will not show up on your phone bill. Call 0800 11 11.

If you or someone you love has clinical depression, it's important to recognise the warning signs of suicide. Suicide prevention is highly possible. And there are signs to look for that say someone may be contemplating a suicide attempt.

The best way to prevent suicide with clinical depression is to know the risk factors for suicide and to recognise the warning signs of suicide. Take these signs seriously. Know how to respond to them. It could save someone's life.

How prevalent is suicide?

There were 4,282 deaths from suicides in England in 2008. Attempted suicides are more common.

Women are more likely to attempt suicide or other types of self-harming behaviour. However, men are more likely to die by suicide.

Are there risk factors for suicide?

Risk factors for thoughts of suicide can vary with age, gender, and ethnic group. And risk factors often occur in combinations. Men under the age of 35 are particularly at risk of dying by suicide.

Many people who end their life by suicide have a mental illness, including depression. Many times, people who die by suicide have a substance abuse problem. Often they have that problem in combination with other mental health disorders.

Adverse or traumatic life events in combination with other risk factors, such as clinical depression, may lead to suicide. But suicide and suicidal behaviour are never normal responses to stress.

Other risk factors for suicide include:

• One or more prior suicide attempts
• Family history of mental health disorder or substance abuse
• Family history of suicide
• Family violence
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Keeping harmful objects, such as firearms, in the home
• Incarceration
• Exposure to the suicidal behaviour of others

Are there warning signs of suicide?

Warning signs that someone may be thinking about or planning to commit suicide include:

• Always talking or thinking about death
• Clinical depression - deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating - that gets worse
• Having a "death wish," tempting fate by taking risks that could lead to death such as driving fast or going through red lights
• Losing interest in things one used to care about
• Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless
• Putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, changing a will
• Saying things like "it would be better if I wasn't here" or "I’ve had enough"
• Sudden, unexpected switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy
• Talking about suicide or killing one's self
• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye

Be especially concerned if a person is exhibiting any of these warning signs and has attempted suicide in the past. The NHS says people who have tried to take their own life or self-harmed before are in a higher risk group.