S.O.S. Signs of Suicide Awareness

HOW TO ACT ON THE FACTS

ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM Is your friend’s behavior worrying you? Is your friend’s behavior worrying you?

CARE Let the person know you care. Let the person know you care. Example: I am worried about what you have been saying and doing lately. Example: I am worried about what you have been saying and doing lately.

TELL A RESPONSIBLE ADULT Tell an adult and/or take your friend with you to talk to the adult. Tell an adult and/or take your friend with you to talk to the adult. Example: Let’s talk to Ms. Smith. She can help with this problem. Example: Let’s talk to Ms. Smith. She can help with this problem.

WHAT ARE YOU ACTING ON? The FACTS! The FACTS!

FEELINGS Hopeless Hopeless Helpless Helpless Worthless Worthless Guilt, shame, self- hatred Guilt, shame, self- hatred Pervasive sadness Pervasive sadness Feeling trapped Feeling trapped Persistent, uncharacteristic anger, hostility, or irritability Persistent, uncharacteristic anger, hostility, or irritability

ACTIONS Uncharacteristic aggression, rage Uncharacteristic aggression, rage Uncharacteristic risk taking, recklessness Uncharacteristic risk taking, recklessness Withdraw from friends/activities, family Withdraw from friends/activities, family Recent losses Recent losses Getting into trouble, discipline problems Getting into trouble, discipline problems Increasing drug or alcohol use Increasing drug or alcohol use Themes of death or destruction in talk, writing, or websites Themes of death or destruction in talk, writing, or websites

CHANGES Personality Personality Can’t concentrate on school, work, routine tasks Can’t concentrate on school, work, routine tasks Loss of interest in hobbies or work Loss of interest in hobbies or work Marked decrease in school or work performance Marked decrease in school or work performance Unable to eat/sleep or sleeping/eating all the time Unable to eat/sleep or sleeping/eating all the time Sudden improvement after being down or withdrawn Sudden improvement after being down or withdrawn Dramatic mood change Dramatic mood change

THREATS Statements: Talking about suicide directly or indirectly, written themes of death, preoccupation with death 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 direct threat Threats: I won’t be around much longer, writing suicide note, making direct threat Plans: Giving away prized possessions, making arrangements for a funeral, studying drug effects, obtaining a weapon Plans: Giving away prized possessions, making arrangements for a funeral, studying drug effects, obtaining a weapon

ACT ON THE FACTS AND SAVE A LIFE!