Suicied Prevention Parent Survey
PARENT LETTER
WARNING SIGNS.........
FEELINGS:
Hopeless - "Things will never get better." "There's no point in trying."
Worthless - "Everyone would be better off without me."
Helpless - "There's nothing I can do about it." "I can't do anything right."
Guilt, shame, self-hatred - "What I did was unforgivable." "I'm useless."
Pervasive sadness
Persistent anxiety
Persistent agitation
Persistent, uncharacteristic anger, hostility or irritability
Confusion - can't think straight, make decisions
ACTIONS:
Uncharacteristic agression
Risk taking
Withdraw from friends/activities
Becoming accident prone
Recent losses - death, divorce, relationship, job, status, self-esteem
Getting into trouble, discipline problems
Drug or alcohol abuse
Themes of death or desruction in talk, writing, or websites
CHANGE:
Personality - more withdrawn, low energy, "don't care" attitude or more boisterous, talkative, outgoing
Can't concentrate on school, work, routine tasks
Loss of interest in hobbies or work
Marked decrease in school or work performance
Sleep, appetite increase/decrease
Sudden improvement after being down or withdrawn
THREATS:
Statements talking about suicide directly or indirectly, written themes of death, preoccupation with death
Threats - "I won't be around much longer"; writing suicide note, making a direct threat
Plans - giving away prized possessions, making arrangements for a funeral, studying drug effects, obtaining a weapon
Attempts to kill themselves, such as through an overdose