When people are thinking about ending their life, there are sometimes signs you may notice. They may be feeling distraught and can’t see a way out of their problems. People show signs in different ways, so it is best to be aware of both verbal and non-verbal cues.

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Anyone can be affected

Almost half the population have had some sort of suicidal thought at some point, even if fleeting

Most adults have known someone who has committed suicide

Many turn back: Despite this, most people turn their backs on suicide and don’t go on to commit. And so you can, even if you are feeling more alone and resigned than ever.

Suicide is not a foregone conclusion, and its signs, risks and temptations can be successfully fought back.

Suicide in numbers

Warning signs & risk factors

Almost everyone who has committed suicide will have given some signs or warnings, even though some of these signs might be subtle. A person might show they are considering suicide in how they feel, talk and behave.

  • Feeling sad, angry, ashamed, rejected, desperate, lonely, irritable, or exhausted
  • Feeling trapped and helpless
  • Feeling worthless or hopeless
  • Feeling guilty
  • “I can’t see any way out of this”
  • “I’m on my own — no one cares. No one would even notice I was gone”
  • “It’s my fault, I’m to blame”
  • Abusing drugs or alcohol, or using more than usual (usually to numb pain)
  • Withdrawing from friends, family and society
  • Appearing anxious and agitated
  • Trouble sleeping or sleeping all the time
  • Sudden mood swings — a sudden lift in mood after a period of depression could indicate they have made the decision to attempt suicide
  • Episodes of sudden rage and anger
  • Acting recklessly and engaging in risky activities
  • Losing interest in their appearance, especially if suddenly
  • Rapid weight changes
  • Putting their affairs in order – usually in preparation for suicide
  • Making funeral arrangements
  •  

Risk factors are those factors which should be considered as increasing someone’s likelihood of suicide risk more generally, while “signs” are general indicators of behaviour. 

A person may be at high risk of attempting suicide if they:

    • Threaten to hurt or kill themselves
    • Possess items through which suicide could be attempting, such as stockpiling tablets or buying equipment that could be used to harm themselves
    • Talk, draw or write about death, dying or suicide.

Someone is at generally greater risk of attempting suicide if:

  • They’ve attempted suicide before
  • They use alcohol or drugs
  • They have a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or PTSD
  • They are having active family or relationship problems
  • They are in trouble with the law
  • They have access to ways of killing themselves, such as medication or weapons
  • Someone they are close to has died recently
  • They are being bullied
  • They have an illness or disability

Feeling suicidal can also be triggered by life events such as stress over a job or money, trauma, a life change such as a divorce, and loneliness and isolation.

  • Feeling sad, angry, ashamed, rejected, desperate, lonely, irritable, or exhausted
  • Feeling trapped and helpless
  • Feeling worthless or hopeless
  • Feeling guilty
  • “I can’t see any way out of this”
  • “I'm on my own — no one cares. No one would even notice I was gone”
  • “It’s my fault, I’m to blame”
  • Abusing drugs or alcohol, or using more than usual (usually to numb pain)
  • Withdrawing from friends, family and society
  • Appearing anxious and agitated
  • Trouble sleeping or sleeping all the time
  • Sudden mood swings — a sudden lift in mood after a period of depression could indicate they have made the decision to attempt suicide
  • Episodes of sudden rage and anger
  • Acting recklessly and engaging in risky activities
  • Losing interest in their appearance, especially if suddenly
  • Rapid weight changes
  • Putting their affairs in order - usually in preparation for suicide
  • Making funeral arrangements

Risk factors are those factors which should be considered as increasing someone’s likelihood of suicide risk more generally, while “signs” are general indicators of behaviour. 

A person may be at high risk of attempting suicide if they:

  • Threaten to hurt or kill themselves
  • Possess items through which suicide could be attempting, such as stockpiling tablets or buying equipment that could be used to harm themselves
  • Talk, draw or write about death, dying or suicide.

Someone is at generally greater risk of attempting suicide if:

  • They’ve attempted suicide before
  • They use alcohol or drugs
  • They have a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or PTSD
  • They are having active family or relationship problems
  • They are in trouble with the law
  • They have access to ways of killing themselves, such as medication or weapons
  • Someone they are close to has died recently
  • They are being bullied
  • They have an illness or disability

Feeling suicidal can also be triggered by life events such as stress over a job or money, trauma, a life change such as a divorce, and loneliness and isolation.

Busting Myths: The Top 5 about suicide

Suicidal ideation (the idea of taking one’s life) is a sign that an individual is suffering deeply and needs support and treatment. Several falsehoods in our society often prevent people from getting the help they need to get better.

Debunking the common myths associated with suicide are critical, and can help society realise the importance of helping others seek treatment and show individuals the importance of addressing their mental health challenges.

Myth #1

"Suicide only affects individuals with a mental health condition"
Many individuals with mental illness are not affected by suicidal thoughts and not all people who attempt or die by suicide have diagnosed mental illness.

Relationship problems and life stressors and triggers in life can create a cascade leading to suicidal thoughts and attempts.

Myth #2

"Once an individual is suicidal, he or she will always remain suicidal"
Active suicidal ideation is often short-term. Studies show that over 50% of individuals who have died by suicide did not have a diagnosable mental health disorder. And for those with mental illness, the proper treatment can help reduce symptoms.

The act of suicide is often an attempt to control deep, painful emotions and thoughts an individual is experiencing. Once these thoughts dissipate, so will the suicidal ideation.

Myth #3

"Most suicides happen suddenly without warning."
Warning signs—verbally or behaviorally—precede most suicides. Therefore, it’s important to learn and understand the warnings signs associated with suicide!

Many individuals who are suicidal may only show warning signs to those closest to them. If these become recognisable, intervention is more likely to succeed and be possible.

Myth #4

"People who die by suicide are selfish and take the easy way out."
Typically, people do not die by suicide because they do not want to live, not because they want to “hurt others” or think first of themselves. These individuals are suffering so deeply that they feel helpless and hopeless. Individuals who experience suicidal ideations do not do so by choice.

Myth #5

"Talking about suicide will lead to and encourage suicide"
There is a widespread stigma associated with suicide and as a result, many people are afraid to speak about it. Talking about suicide not only reduces the stigma, but also allows individuals to seek help, rethink their opinions and share their story with others.

We all need to talk more about suicide, especially because a lot of people have considered suicide at some point. Studies vary, but put this number as high as one-third of all people, in some cases! The thought is not “unusual”, but following through with it is, and is a sign of deep distress, hurt, and the need for help.
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More Resources:
  1. National Alliance on Mental Health: 5 Common Myths About Suicide Debunked
  2. Beyond Blue: Suicide myths and facts

Are you feeling suicidal as you read this?

If so, you’re not alone. Many people experience suicidal ideation at some point; according to some studies, some one-third of all people do so at some point in their lives!

So no matter how much pain you’re experiencing right now, you’re not alone. Feeling suicidal is not a character defect, and it doesn’t mean that you are crazy, or weak, or flawed. It only means that you have more pain than you can cope with right now. But with time and support, you can overcome your problems and the pain and suicidal feelings will pass.

 

Here’s what you need to do!

Even though you’re in a lot of pain right now, give yourself some distance between thoughts and action. Make a promise to yourself: “I will wait 24 hours and won’t do anything drastic during that time.”

Thoughts and actions are two different things—your suicidal thoughts do not have to become a reality. There is no deadline, no one’s pushing you to act on these thoughts immediately. Wait. Put some distance between your thoughts and any actions.

Suicidal thoughts can become even stronger if you have taken drugs or alcohol. It is important to not use nonprescription drugs or alcohol when you feel hopeless or are thinking about suicide.

Remove things you could use to hurt yourself, such as pills, knives, razors, or firearms. If you are unable to do so, go to a place where you can feel safe. If you are thinking of taking an overdose, give your medicines to someone who can return them to you one day at a time as you need them.

Many of us have found that the first step to coping with suicidal thoughts and feelings is to share them with someone we trust. It may be a family member, friend, therapist, member of our religious community, teacher, family doctor, coach, or an experienced counselor at the end of a helpline.

Find someone you trust and let them know how bad things are. Don’t let fear, shame, or embarrassment prevent you from seeking help. And if the first person you reach out to doesn’t seem to understand, try someone else. Just talking about how you got to this point in your life can release a lot of the pressure that’s building up and help you find a way to cope.

Even people who feel as badly as you are feeling now manage to survive these feelings. Take hope in this. There is a very good chance that you are going to live through these feelings, no matter how much self-loathing, hopelessness, or isolation you are currently experiencing. 

Just give yourself the time needed and don’t try to go it alone.

If you need someone to talk to right away, here are some suggestions:

  1. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14
  2. Call the Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467
  3. Call MensLine Australia — 1300 78 99 78
  4. Call Kids Helpline — 1800 551 800
  5. Talk to someone like:
    • A GP, counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist
    • Family or friends
    • A school, university or TAFE counsellor
    • A teacher or coach
    • A work colleague
    • A religious leader
More Resources:
  1. HelpGuide: Are You Feeling Suicidal? (Jaelline Jaffe, Ph.D., Lawrence Robinson, and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D.)
  2. Black Dog Institute: Suicide & self-harm facts

Suicide & CALD communities: Addressing the issue

CALD and migrant communities have diverse views of suicide and suicidal thinking, and vary in the way that their community, family and friends respond to suicide.

Often, a strong stigma surrounds the individual experiencing suicidal behaviours that may also affect their family, carer, friends and community.

Spiritual and religious beliefs can sometimes contribute to this stigma, as well as social understanding and attitude toward mental health and suicide within a particular cultural community.

Download the Fact Sheet (PDF, 400kb)
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Are you or someone near you in immediate danger?

Call Emergency Services on 000; or go to a hospital emergency department

Other ways to help

If you are concerned that there is an imminent danger or risk:

  1. Ask the person in question if they are thinking about taking their own life
  2. Encourage them to talk about how they are feeling
  3. Bring their condition to the attention of a loved one
  4. Ask someone else (including the authorities) to intervene if you believe there is imminent danger.
  • The person’s doctor can provide a range of options for treating and managing mental health issues. 
  • The emergency department at their local hospital will also be able to help them. Alternatively, if they are in Australia, you or they can ring the following numbers for 24-hour help, support and advice:
    • Lifeline — 13 11 14
    • Kids Helpline — 1800 551 800
    • Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467
    • MensLine Australia — 1300 78 99 78

While waiting for the person to receive treatment, remove any possible means of suicide from their immediate environment, such as medicines, knives or other sharp objects, and household chemicals, such as bleach.

Addressing the issue of suicide in CALD communities

We know that depression, anxiety and suicide can affect any of us at any time – regardless of our culture or background. We also know that a range of factors can make it harder for people in some communities to seek and access support.

Here are some crucial points to keep in mind when dealing with the issue of suicide in CALD communities and migrant individuals

  1. Beliefs affect communication. Consider how cultural or religious beliefs may impact on open communication about suicide. 
  2. Family is crucial. The role of family is crucial to the prevention of suicide within CALD communities. Family and social networks for many CALD people are key to both prevention and recovery of mental health conditions, even if stigmas may exist within the family unit. Despite this, the family unit remains critical in mitigating risk and preventing suicide.
  3. Trauma in refugees is an aggravating factor. Refugees (within CALD communities) carry the burden of painful pasts and histories, with the trauma they’ve suffered often becoming a risk factor for suicide. Thus, their traumatic experiences need to carefully figure in responding to individuals’ unique vulnerabilities.
  4. Religion and culture can be protective factors, too. While much has been said about the stigma surrounding suicide in some migrant / CALD communities, religious and cultural beliefs can help prevent suicide too. Any conversation needs to consider this and harness the positive potential of cultures and religions in deterring individuals from self-harm.