Katherine R. Smith
Elementary School
Mental Health Resources
Recognizing the Warning Signs
That Someone May be at Immediate Risk for Attempting Suicide
- Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
- Talking about feeling empty or hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
- Feeling unbearable emotional or physical pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Giving away important possessions
- Saying goodbye to friends and family
- Putting affairs in order, such as making a will
- Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
- Talking or thinking about death often
Positive Coping Skills Include:
- Establishing a mindfulness and meditation practice.
- Accessing mental health awareness programs and services.
- Establishing a self-care practice; including healthy eating.
- Asking for support from friends, family, or a professional.
- Practicing time management & problem-solving skills.
- Contact your school-site counselor and support staff.
Negative Coping Strategies to Avoid:
- Substance Abuse
- Self-medication
- Violence and abuse
- Self-Harm
- Compulsivity
- Dissociation
- Catastrophizing
- Isolating
Warning Signs & Symptoms
- Thinking of suicide
- Excessive worrying, fear and sadness
- Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
- Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger and changes in sleeping habits
- Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
- Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don't exist in objective reality)
- Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs