How To Know If Someone Is Suicidal? Warning Signs Of Suicide And Risk Factors

Suicide rates in the United States are at their highest in 30 years, and on an average, there are 121 suicides per day. In 2014, the last year for which statistics are available, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the country with nearly 43,000 suicides, and 1.3 million adults attempted suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in people from age 10 to age 34, and according to statistics men take their lives nearly four times the rate of women, accounting for 78 percent of suicides in the U.S. In total 425 children, aged between 10 to 14 years committed suicide in 2014, according to the CDC report, which added suicide rates increased from 1999 through 2014 for both males and females and for all ages from between 10 and 74.

Read: Signs That Could Show Tendencies In Young People To Kill Themselves

Below are some of the warning signs of suicide:

1. Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself

2. Excessive sadness or moodiness

3. Looking for a way to kill oneself

4. Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose in life

5. Talking about feeling trapped

6. Talking about being a burden to others

7. Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

8. Acting anxious, agitated, or reckless

9. Sleeping too little or too much

10. Withdrawing or feeling isolated

11. Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

12. Sudden calmness

13. Choosing to remain in isolation

14. Avoiding to interact with people and not indulging in social activities

According to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2015 saw the highest suicide rate, 19.6 percent, among adults between 45 and 64 years of age. The second highest rate, 19.4 percent, occurred in those 85 years or older. The same year, adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 had a suicide rate of 12.5 percent. In 2015, it was reported that 494,169 people visited a hospital for injuries due to self-harm.

There are several risk factors for suicide, with increasing chances of a person trying to take one's life:

1. Mental disorders, such as mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and certain personality disorders

2. Alcohol and other substance use disorders

3. Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies

4. History of trauma or abuse

5. Major physical or chronic illnesses

6. Previous suicide attempt

7. Family history of suicide

8. Recent job or financial loss

9. Recent breakup or divorce

10. Easy access to lethal means, including firearms and drugs

11. Sense of isolation

12. Physical or sexual abuse

13. Exposure to another person’s suicide

14. Family violence

Read: Suicide Rate In Senior Citizens: Elderly Couple Jumps To Death In Vegas

According to several reports, 90 percent of people who die by suicide have a mental disorder at the time of their deaths. There are several ways in which one can be helped a person feeling suicidal. Treatment for a mental disorder, depression, therapy or counseling, and alcohol or drug abuse can help save a person from committing suicide.