Suicide Prevention Guide for Students: Look Out for Yourself and Your Friends

Suicide Prevention Guide for Students: Look Out for Yourself and Your Friends

Your well-being matters. Understanding the factors that can make someone more likely to feel suicidal isn’t about labeling yourself or others; it’s about recognizing when someone might need extra care and support. It’s equally important to know the warning signs to look for in yourself and your friends, so you can reach out for help early.

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What Increases the Risk (Risk Factors)

Suicide is rarely about one single thing. It’s usually a mix of life challenges, health issues, and tough experiences that create a higher risk.

Things Happening Inside (Health & Mind)

• Intense Emotions: Dealing with really tough depression, anxiety, or mood swings that won't go away.
• Feeling Trapped: A strong sense of hopelessness or feeling like there's no way things will get better.
• Low Self-Worth: Having very low self-esteem or feeling like you hate yourself.
• Physical Pain: Struggling with chronic pain or a serious physical health issue.
• Quick Reactions: Acting without thinking or struggling with aggression and anger.
• Past Injuries: Having a history of a Traumatic Brain Injury.

Things Happening Around You (Environment)

• Stress Overload: Extreme stress from school (grades, applications) or relationships (breakups, conflicts).
• Loneliness: Feeling isolated, disconnected, or losing touch with friends and activities you love.
• Bullying/Exclusion: Being cyberbullied or bullied in person; experiencing discrimination or feeling excluded.
• Major Loss: Dealing with the death of a friend or loved one or experiencing a big loss in your community.
• Unsafe Access: Having easy access to things that could be used for suicide (e.g., firearms, prescription/over-the-counter medications) in the home.
• Exposure to Suicide: A friend or family member died by suicide.
• Lack of Help: Not being able to find or afford a therapist or mental health support.

Things from the Past (History)

• Past Attempts: You have tried to hurt yourself or end your life before. This is the biggest risk factor.
• Family History: A family member has died by suicide.
• Trauma: A history of abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual) or other severely adverse childhood experiences.
• Generational Pain: Dealing with the lasting effects of racism or discrimination experienced by your family over time.

Watch for These Signs (Warning Signs)

Stress and tough feelings are normal. But certain behaviors and words are urgent signs that someone is thinking about suicide. These require immediate action!

What They Might Be Saying

What They Might Be Doing

• Getting Ready: Giving away valued possessions to friends or siblings (like saying goodbye).
• Searching: Looking up ways to end their life online or stockpiling pills/weapons.
• Pulling Away: Isolating themselves from friends and family; suddenly quitting activities they used to love.
• Using Substances: Drinking more alcohol or using more drugs than usual.
• Sleep Changes: Sleeping way too much or struggling severely with insomnia.
• Creative Focus: Drawing, writing, or posting about death, dying, or suicide.

Signs of Immediate Danger (Seek Help NOW)

If someone is doing any of the following, do not leave them alone and get help immediately:

• Direct Threats: Threatening or talking clearly about killing themselves right now.
• Making Arrangements: Saying specific "goodbyes" or planning a funeral.
• Obtaining Means: Actively getting a gun, collecting pills, or obtaining another method.
• Intense Research: Spending time in chatrooms or social media sites focused on self-harm/suicide.

What Helps Us (Protective Factors)

These are the strengths and connections that build resilience and reduce the likelihood that a person will act on suicidal thoughts.

Connections and Support

• Strong Bonds: Having a close, supportive relationship with your family, friends, or community.
• One Trusted Adult: Having at least one caring adult (teacher, coach, relative) you can talk to honestly.
• School/Group Connection: Feeling like you genuinely belong at school or in a club/activity.
• Cultural Pride: A strong connection to your spiritual and cultural identity.
• Reaching Out: Knowing how to and being willing to ask for help when things get tough.

Personal Strengths

• Resilience: Being good at managing stress, solving problems, and bouncing back from setbacks.
• Goals: Having a sense of hope for the future and setting goals for yourself.
• Self-Value: Having high self-esteem and knowing your own worth.
• Healthy Coping Skills: Using constructive ways to deal with stress (like exercise, mindfulness, or talking).

When to Step In: What You Can Do

If you see warning signs, take them seriously! You have the power to connect your friend (or yourself) to life-saving help.

1. Express Concern Gently: Tell them specifically what you noticed. "Hey, I noticed you haven't come to practice in a week and you sound really down when we text. I'm worried about you."
2. Listen Without Judging: Just be present. Don't argue, don't act shocked, and don't try to fix everything. Just let them talk and know you are on their side.
3. Ask Directly: Use the word "suicide." "Are you thinking about killing yourself?" This will not put the idea in their head. It shows you care enough to ask.
4. Stay with Them and Get Help: Do not agree to keep their suicidal thoughts a secret. If they say yes, immediately call a professional or get an adult involved.

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