Suicide Warning Signs

A child who is thinking about suicide may send subtle warning signs. Here's a list of what to look for.

Giving away personal treasures.
Strange mood swings.
Emotional withdrawal.
Making significant closure in relationships
Talking or writing about suicide.
An avid interest in reading about suicide or listening to dark, depressing music.
An increase in risky behavior, in relative terms (compare the kid's riskiness to her own previous behavior; what's normal for one kid may be unusually risky for another).
A change in eating or sleeping habits.
A decrease in personal hygiene (relative to kid's previous norm).
Cutting (not necessarily a suicide attempt).

Reprinted with permission from The Samaritans of Boston.