Sedgwick County, Kansas Suicide Task Force
General Suicide Information

The following are overall identified warning signs of suicide.  Please note that the warning signs may show somewhat differently in different age groups.  For example, rather than withdrawing , a youth may become more irritable and prone to fits of rage.  Please consult a professional if you have any questions about signs you may see in a family member, loved one, friend or person you are concerned about---

Life changes, medical illnesses, losses

Increased complaints about physical problems without a medical reason (somatic complaints)

Sudden change from extreme depression to being ‘at peace’ (may indicate that a person has decided to commit suicide)

Overwhelming feelings of sadness and hopelessness

Withdrawn or isolated from friends and family 

Loss of interest in usual activities

Inability to make decisions or concentrate

Making negative comments about self

Talking, writing, or hinting about suicide

Purposefully putting personal affairs in order by giving away possessions or ‘clearing the air’ over person incidents from the past

Source:  Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Task Force Educational Materials.

The Surgeon General’s 1999 Call to Action lists the following identified risk factors: 

• Previous suicide attempt

• Mental disorders-particularly mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder

• Co-occurring mental and alcohol and substance abuse disorders

• Family history of suicide

• Hopelessness

• Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies

• Barriers to accessing mental health treatment

• Relational, social, work, or financial loss

• Physical illness

• Easy access to lethal methods, especially guns

• Unwillingness to seek help because of stigma attached to mental and substance abuse disorders and/or suicidal thoughts

• Influence of significant people-family members, celebrities, peers who have died by suicide-both through direct personal contact or inappropriate media representations

• Cultural and religious beliefs-for instance, the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma

• Local epidemics of suicide that have a contagious influence

• Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people

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last update: 01/15/04
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Resources 24 Hour Suicide Prevention Services Community Resource List Lista de Recursos en la Comunidad Awareness/Education General Suicide Information History Stigma Older Adults Youth Intervention/Outreach Yellow Ribbon Program Suicide Survivors Support Group Methodology/Research Year One Report Year Two Report Year Three Report Year Four Report Year Five Report Year Six Report Resource Links American Association of Suicidology American Foundation for Suicide Prevention COMCARE of Sedgwick County Department on Aging Kansas Suicide Prevention Steering Committee Suicide in the United States Suicide Prevention Action Network USA, Inc. Suicide Prevention Resource Center Surgeon General's Call To Action To Prevent Suicide USA State Plans Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program     Contact Us     Adobe Acrobat Reader required to view document.   Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Task Force 635 N. Main Wichita, Kansas 67203 Tel:  (316) 660-7600 TTY: (316) 267-0267 Fax:  (316) 660-7510  24 Hour Crisis Line (316) 660-7500