Symptoms of a suicidal person: --> Talking or joking about suicide. --> Saying things like "You'll be sorry when I'm gone" , "it will all be over soon" etc --> Talking about how worthless/useless they are, or how hopeless their situation is. --> Preoccupation with death. --> Suddenly seeming calmer, and happier, when nothing has changed. --> Writing poetry about death and suicide. --> Giving treasured possessions away. --> Visiting or calling a lot of people they care about. --> Putting their affairs in order. --> Talking about being reunited with a deceased loved one. --> Self-destructive behavior (alcohol/drug abuse, self-injury or mutilation, promiscuity). --> Unusual risk-taking. (Reckless driving, etc) --> An obsession with things such as guns or knives. --> Talking about how impossible life is. --> Low self-esteem. --> Recent suicide of a friend or relative. --> Minor self-mutilation. --> Withdrawal from friends, family, classes and activities. --> Uncharacteristic behaviour: frequent crying, recklessness, anger, or unexpected apologies for past wrongs. --> Changes in eating or sleeping patterns. --> Taking unnaturally long to get over a break-up. --> Giving up caring about health or appearance. What you can do if you think a loved one is suicidal: --> It is okay to ask someone if they are feeling suicidal. --> Questions you can ask: * Do you have a plan? * Do you know where/when you would do it? * Do you have access to what you would use? ((If yes, do not leave this person alone. Take them to a hospital, or ring a suicide hotline, councellor, or other trusted person. or simply stay with them, and try and talk it out.)) --> Never keep somebodies plan to committ suicide a secret. tell someone in authority. --> Do: say things like "I can tell you are really hurting. I care about you, and want to help." Then follow it through. Help them get help. --> Reassure them that the situation may be temporary, and remind them that depression and suicidal thoughts can be treated. --> Reassure them that with help, they can overcome this. --> Assure them that there are people who care and will listen. --> Don't skirt round the subject: talk to them ddirectly about suicide and death. Be open. --> Stay calm i know it's hard for you, too, but you get better results than if you are stressed and shout a lot: that sort of behaviour only causes people to clam up and withdraw, thinking you don't really care. --> Listen carefully and encourage the person to talk. --> Ask helpful questions... breaking a problem down into smaller parts and attempting to work through each part could prove helpful in resolving confusion. --> Don't call the persons bluff, or worsen their feelings of guilt and worthlessness by telling them they are selfish.