Suicide Prevention Guide for Youth and Young Adults

Warning Signs of Suicide

People who are thinking about suicide may do or say things they've never done before. Avoiding friends and family and stopping activities they usually enjoy are common warning signs. They might noticeably gain or lose weight and have problems with sleeping too much or too little. Others might talk about death a lot or even tell you that they've thought about killing themselves. Other warning signs include, skipping school, suddenly getting poor grades, and expressing extreme sadness or anger.

• Four Signs Young Adolescents May be Considering Suicide and What to Do
• Teen Suicide
• Resources for Suicide Prevention for Kids and Teens
• Youth Suicide Warning Signs
• Worried About Suicide? Learn the Facts!

Prevention

Suicide is preventable. Once you've seen the signs that a friend or a classmate may be suicidal, it's time to do something about it. Tell them you're concerned and ask them if they are thinking about suicide. Don't guess or wait to see if they get better. If you find out a friend is suicidal or simply suspect they might be, go to a trusted adult and tell them what's happening. Don't keep it a secret or try to change their mind alone. The situation is too risky and complex to manage alone.

• My Friend is Talking About Suicide What Should I Do?
• What to Do When Someone is Suicidal
• Suicide Prevention Resource for Teens
• Save a Friend: Tips for Teens to Prevent Suicide
• Suicide Prevention Tips for Youth and Young Adults
• Teen Suicide Prevention: What Everyone Should Know
• LEARN Saves Lives: Suicide Prevention Tips for Teens
• Suicide Prevention: Identify and Treat Those at Risk
• Teens: Helping a Friend Who's Talking About Suicide
• Suicide Prevention Tips for Kids and Teens

Statistics

There are about 4600 lives lost to suicide in the US each year. Young people who are between the ages of 10 and 24 years old make up 14% of suicides in the United States. Suicide is the second largest cause of death for kids between 10 and 14 years old. Four out of five teens who committed suicide had given clear warning signs of their intentions.

• Teenage Suicide: Teenage Suicide Statistics
• Disparities in Suicide: Age
• Health of Women and Children: Teen Suicide
• Nearly Half of LGBTQ Youth Seriously Considered Suicide, Survey Finds
• Mental Health and Suicide Statistics

Supporting a Survivor of an Attempt

After someone has attempted suicide, it's important to show them kindness and support. To do that, let them know that you're still their friend. Let them do the talking and just be there to listen. Be careful not to say anything that might make them feel bad or guilty about the attempt. In the immediate aftermath, don't ask why they did it or try to reinforce how much they have to live for, which can leave them feeling guilty and worse. Keep looking for warning signs they might still be suicidal and tell their parents if you think they might hurt themselves again. While supporting your friend, you might also feel some anger or other strong feelings. These feelings are normal, and something you and your friend will have to work through, but it's best to make sure your friend is stable and recovered from their attempt before confronting these feelings with them. If you want to discuss your feeling with your friend, it's best to get the guidance of a counselor or therapist on how to proceed.

• When a Loved One Has Made an Attempt
• What to Say (And Not Say) To Someone Who Has Attempted Suicide
• What to Say to a Loved One Who Attempted Suicide
• How to Talk to Someone After an Attempt
• How to Recover from a Friend's Attempted Suicide
• How to Support a Suicide Attempt Survivor
• Ten Things to Say to Someone Who Recently Attempted Suicide
• What to Do After an Attempt by a Family Member
• Supporting Someone After a Suicide Attempt
• Worried About Someone: Supporting Someone After a Suicide Attempt

More Resources

• Youth Suicide Prevention Action Kit
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• The Myths and Facts of Youth Suicide
• Teen Suicide Brochure
• HelpGuide Suicide Prevention
• Psychosocial Assessment
• The Jason Foundation: Youth Suicide
• Myth vs. Fact: Suicide Prevention for Kids and Teens
• Suicide Screening and Referral
• JJ's Hello Fund