Warning signs of suicide

Most people who die by suicide show one or more warning signs first. These signs can show up in what a person says, what they do, or how they seem.² Knowing them can help you notice when someone needs help, and act sooner.

Warning signs are not always easy to see. Some people hide their pain well. If you missed signs in the past, that does not make you to blame. This page explains the difference between warning signs and risk factors, which signs need action today, and which groups face higher risk. It ends with simple steps you can take.

Warning signs and risk factors: what is the difference?

The two terms sound alike, but they mean different things.

Risk factors are conditions or life events that make suicide more likely over time. Examples are depression, a past suicide attempt, long-term pain, or a family history of suicide.^2,3

Warning signs are changes in talk, behavior or mood. They suggest that a person may be thinking about suicide right now.²

A person can have many risk factors and never show warning signs. A person can also show warning signs without obvious risk factors.² Both are worth knowing. Warning signs are the ones that call for action today.

Warning signs to know

These signs come from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).^1,2

What the person says. They may talk about:

• Wanting to die or to kill themselves
• Feeling hopeless, empty or trapped
• Having no reason to live
• Being a burden to others
• Feeling great guilt or shame
• Being in unbearable emotional or physical pain

What the person does. They may be:

• Making a plan, or looking for ways to die
• Pulling away from friends, family or activities they used to enjoy
• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
• Giving away prized possessions, or suddenly making a will
• Drinking alcohol or using drugs more often
• Taking dangerous risks, such as driving very fast
• Sleeping or eating much more or much less
• Acting more aggressive

How the person seems. They may seem:

• Very sad, depressed or flat
• Anxious, agitated, irritable or full of rage
• Humiliated or ashamed
• Uninterested in things they used to like
• Swinging between extreme moods

Signs are most urgent when they are new, have increased recently, or follow a painful event, loss or change.^1,2 Examples include a divorce, a death, a job loss, a new diagnosis or a move out of the family home.

Signs that need action now

Some signs mean a person may be at immediate risk. These include talking about wanting to die, looking for a way to end their life, and talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.¹⁰

Who faces higher risk?

Suicide can affect anyone. Some groups face higher rates. Belonging to one of these groups does not mean a person will think about suicide. It does mean that care, connection and a direct question can matter a great deal.

Men

In 2024, men in the U.S. died by suicide at about 4 times the rate of women. Men made up about 4 in 5 of all suicide deaths.⁴ Men may not talk about sadness at all. To learn how depression can look different in men, see Depression in men.

Older men

Men age 75 and older had the highest suicide rate of any age group of men in 2024, at about 40 per 100,000. That is nearly 3 times the overall U.S. rate.⁴ Older adults are less likely than younger adults to report suicidal thoughts. Depression in later life may show up mostly as body symptoms, so it is easy to miss.¹⁰ See Suicide risk in later life.

Veterans

In 2024, 6,488 veterans died by suicide. After accounting for age, the rate for male veterans was about 1.6 times that of men who never served. For female veterans, it was about 2 times that of women who never served.⁵ Rates rose among veterans age 75 and older from 2023 to 2024, while they fell in younger veterans.⁵ Veterans, service members and their families can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 and pressing 1, or texting 838255.⁹ See PTSD in older adults and veterans.

LGBTQ+ young people

In a 2023 national survey of high school students, 41% of lesbian, gay, bisexual or questioning students had seriously considered suicide in the past year. Among heterosexual students, 13% had.⁶ About 1 in 5 had made a suicide attempt in the past year, compared with about 1 in 17 heterosexual students.⁶ Bullying and discrimination are known risk factors for suicide.³ In the same survey, students who felt connected at school had lower rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts.⁶

People who recently left a psychiatric hospital

A review of 100 studies found that suicide risk is highest in the first 3 months after leaving a psychiatric hospital. It was highest of all for people who had been admitted because of suicidal thoughts or behavior.⁷ That is why the weeks after discharge need a clear plan, a quick follow-up visit and people who check in. See After a suicide attempt.

Other groups

Risk is also higher for:^2,3,12

• People who have made a suicide attempt before
• People with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance use problems or a traumatic brain injury
• People with serious illness or long-term pain
• People facing job loss, money or legal problems, or the end of a relationship
• People who have lost someone to suicide or been exposed to another person's suicide
• American Indian and Alaska Native people, who had among the highest suicide rates in 2023

Why warning signs are easy to miss

Not everyone shows clear signs. Some people feel ashamed and hide their thoughts. Others describe their pain as tiredness, aches or trouble sleeping.

Many people who die by suicide have seen a health care provider shortly before. More than half saw one in the month before their death.¹¹ This is a reason for doctors, nurses and families to ask clear questions, even when a person does not bring the subject up.

What to do if you notice warning signs

You do not need special training to help. The NIMH suggests five steps.⁸

1. Ask. Ask directly: "Are you thinking about suicide?" Studies find that asking does not increase suicidal thoughts or behavior.⁸
2. Be there. Listen without judging. Let the person know you care and want to understand.
3. Help keep them safe. Ask if they have a plan. Help make dangerous items, such as medicines or firearms, harder to get to for now.⁸
4. Help them connect. Call or text 988 together. Help them reach a doctor, counselor, faith leader or trusted family member.⁸
5. Follow up. Stay in touch over the next days and weeks. Ongoing caring contact plays an important role in preventing suicide.⁸

Read more in Helping someone who may be thinking about suicide. If you are a family caregiver, see When you are worried about suicide.

If you notice these signs in yourself, you deserve help too. See If you are thinking about suicide and make a safety plan.

Common questions

When to get help

• Today: If you or someone you know shows any warning sign above, call or text 988. Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.
• Soon: If you notice several risk factors, such as depression plus a recent loss, talk with a doctor or counselor. Our private self-check can help you put feelings into words first.
• Ongoing: After a crisis or a hospital stay, keep checking in. Risk can stay higher for months.⁷

For a list of crisis lines and services, see Get help now.

Education only. This page is general information written from the sources listed. It is not medical, legal or financial advice and does not replace a doctor, therapist or lawyer who knows your situation. How we write and check pages.