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Suicide Warning Signs

Nikki and Anne Heart ♥ September 9, 2025

Published by the National Institute of Mental Health

Note: This is a general informational sheet and not personalized to individual needs, research and knowledge is important before starting any medication or therapy program.

The behaviors listed below may be some of the signs that someone is thinking about suicide.

Talking about:

Wanting to die
Great guilt or shame
Being a burden to others

Feeling:

Empty, hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live
Extremely sad, more anxious, agitated, or full of rage
Unbearable emotional or physical pain

Changing behavior, such as:

Making a plan or researching ways to die
Withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items, or making a will
Taking dangerous risks such as driving extremely fast
Displaying extreme mood swings
Eating or sleeping more or less
Using drugs or alcohol more often

If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
Chat at 988lifeline.org