Families, Caregivers, and Schools

Knowledge of warning signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these, seek help by calling or texting Idaho Suicide & Crisis Hotline at 988.

Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves:

• Withdrawing or isolating themselves
• Nightmares (in adults)
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
• Acting anxious or agitated, behaving recklessly
• Sleep changes (not enough or too much)
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Extreme mood swings

Warning Signs for Adults | Warning Signs for Youth | 988 Toolkit

Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely someone will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. They cannot cause or predict a suicide attempt, but they are important to be aware of, particularly if you have noticed warning signs.

• Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and certain personality disorders
• Alcohol and other substance use disorders
• Hopelessness
• Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
• History of trauma or abuse
• Major physical illnesses
• Previous suicide attempt(s)
• Family history of suicide
• Job or financial loss
• Loss of relationship(s)
• Easy access to lethal means
• Local clusters of suicide
• Lack of social support and sense of isolation
• Stigma associated with asking for help
• Lack of healthcare, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment
• Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
• Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and Internet)

Protective factors are personal or environmental characteristics that help protect people from suicidal thoughts and behavior.

• Strong connections to family and friends
• Strong connections to community support
• No access to highly lethal means
• Problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
• Effective professional care for mental health and substance use disorders
• Easy access to different types of professional health
• Mental and medical health care relationship that are ongoing
• Being supported to seek help
• Cultural or religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation

The LGBTQ+ population is at a higher risk than the heterosexual, cisgender population for suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. High school students who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual are more than four times as likely to have attempted suicide compared to their heterosexual peers. 40% of transgender adults have attempted suicide in their lifetime, compared to less than 50% of the general U.S. population. There is hope.  

• Talk Saves Lives
• A Focus Guide for School Professionals LGBTQ
• LGBTQ: A focus guide for Parents, Families, and Communities
• LGBTQ Youth Resource
• NAMI: LGBTQ support
• LGBTQ Healthcare Directory

Parents to Parents:  After Your Child’s Suicide Attempt 

This one-hour video was based on interviews with parents and experts. The film provides caring guidance ad support for families during a child’s suicide-related crisis. The film is also a great tool for providers, both for training and as a helpful resource to share with parents.   

Families and caregivers can make a difference.  Older adults spend more time with family caretakers and senior community and assisted living personnel than with other professionals.  Caretakers are in a good position to be suicide prevention gatekeepers and save lives.  If you are a caregiver, be willing to talk about suicide.  Talking about suicide or suicidal thoughts will not push someone to kill themselves.  Let them know that suicide is not the answer to whatever they are going through.

Talk Saves Lives – Seniors

Learn the Warning Signs

Knowing the risk factors and warning signs for suicide can save al life as most suicidal people demonstrate warning signs listed here.  By learning the warning signs, paying attention and trusting your own judgement, you can be the difference between life and death. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these, seek help by calling or texting the Idaho Suicide & Crisis Hotline at 988.

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
• Having nightmares
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing of feeling isolated
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Displaying extreme mood swings.

Be Aware of Risk Factors

Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely someone will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. They cannot cause or predict a suicide attempt, but they are important to be aware of, particularly if you have noticed warning signs. There are several important risk factors for suicide in older adults.  These include:

• Depression
• Previous suicide attempt(s)
• Marked feelings of hopelessness
• Medical conditions that significantly limit functioning or life expectancy
• Declining role and loss of independence or sense of purpose
• Social Isolation
• Family discord or losses; for example: recent death of a loved one
• Inflexible personality or marked difficulty adapting to change
• Access to lethal means
• Alcohol and medication misuse or abuse
• Impulsive due to cognitive impairment
• Chronic pain