Thirteen suicide warning signs

Posted: 10/11/2017

Suicide is the second highest cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds. Mental health experts at Parkland say things like social media, bullying on the internet, drugs and alcohol are of some of the things that can cause a lot of stress for teenagers and young adults. 

Parkland checks all adults and youth ages 12 to 17 that come to Parkland to find patients who may be at risk for suicide and to take steps to help. 

Watch for these 13 warnings signs of suicide risk in teenagers: 

• Making threats or comments about killing themselves, or talking, writing or drawing about death. 
• Drinking alcohol or using drugs.
• Acting violent or arguing a lot. 
• Staying away from friends, family and school activities. 
• Changes in their personality, like going from being happy to being quiet very quickly. 
• Giving away their things.
• Doing things without thinking (being reckless).
• Feeling very sad.
• Problems with learning or thinking.
• Feeling tired and having low energy.
• Changes in grades or behavior at school.
• Running away from home.
• Not paying attention to how they dress or look. 

If someone you know is having thoughts of killing themselves, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741. You can also call Parkland’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Crisis Line at 214-590-0430.