Depression & Suicide
Know The Signs
Teenagers naturally go through ups and downs; but when the lows become especially low, and are long lasting, it may be much more serious.
According to the CDC, suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10 and 24.
Depression
Depressed mood (feeling sad or empty)
Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
Significant changes in weight/appetite
Insomnia or hypersomnia
Agitation, restlessness, irritability
Fatigue or loss of energy
Feeling worthless, hopeless, guilt
Inability to think or concentrate, indecisiveness
Unable to cope
Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation, suicide attempt or plan
Suicide
Signs of depression
Feeling trapped, hopeless
Withdrawing from friends and family
Anger
Recklessness
Lack of energy or wild variations in energy levels
Dramatic changes in behavior, actions, attitude
Increase in anxiety/anxiety related illness (headaches, stomach aches)
Changes in eating habits, sleep patterns, or personal appearance
Being unusually quiet or unusually aggressive/angry
Dropping out of hobbies, sports, school, work
Suicide: Acute Warning Signs
No reason for living, no sense of purpose in life
Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
Feeling trapped, like there’s no way out
Hopelessness
Withdrawing
Uncontrolled anger, rage, seeking revenge
Dramatic mood changes
Preoccupation with death, dying, or suicide including joking about death or suicide, creative writing, poetry, artwork
A sudden elated mood following a time of depression
A previous suicide attempt
Serious talk of suicide, or making a plan
Reckless behavior
Increase in alcohol or drug use
Giving away prize possessions, saying goodbye, writing a will, writing farewell letters
Warning signs you may hear
“Nothing ever goes right for me.”
“It’ll all be over soon.”
“Whatever, nothing matters anyway.”
“I might as well kill myself.”
“I hate life.”
“Everyone would be better off without me."
“I just can’t take it anymore.”
“I wish I was dead.”
What To Do
Don’t leave the person alone. Remove any object that could be used in a suicide attempt such as a gun, sharp knife, razor blade, or drugs.
Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a mental health professional.
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK). All local calls are answered 24 hours a day by trained counselors at the Contra Costa Crisis Center and are treated confidentially.
