What
are “warning signs” to look for in a child or adolescent who is
at risk for suicide?
To help youth
proactively address the problem of violence, the American Psychological
Association (APA) and Music Television (MTV) have teamed up to provide
youth with information about identifying the warning signs of violent
behavior and how to get help if they recognize these signs in themselves
or their peers. In
the “Warning Signs” violence prevention program and guide, APA and
MTV teach youth to watch out for warning signs for suicide among
their peers. These include:
- previous
suicide attempts - significant
alcohol or drug use - suicide threats
or communicating thoughts about death, dying or the afterlife
- sudden increase
in moodiness - withdrawal
or isolation - major changes
in eating or sleeping habits - feelings
of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness - poor control
over behavior - impulsive,
aggressive behavior - drop in quality
of school performance or interest in school - lack of interest
in usual activities - getting into
trouble with authority figures - perfectionism
- giving away
important possessions - hinting at
not being around in the future or saying goodbye
These warning
signs are particularly important to notice when they follow:
- the recent
death or suicide of a friend or family member - a recent
break-up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or conflict with parents
- news reports
of other suicides by young people in the same school or community.
For more information
on Warning Signs, and to request a free copy of this guide, visit
the APA
Help Center or call 1-800-268-0078.
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