Facing Suicide VT offers the following information on the many warning signs someone may have if they are considering suicide, and what to do when you see the signs, including five steps you can take as well as ways to reduce access to lethal means.

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​​Warning signs

• Isolation

• Feeling like a burden

• Financial loss or instability

• Giving away belongings

• Follow up with texts, calls or face-to-face visits

• Increased Anxiety

• Physical Pain

• Increased substance use

• Looking to harm themselves

• Looking for access to guns or other lethal means

• Extreme mood swings

• Hopelessness

• Withdrawal or social isolation

• Personality change

• Sleeping too little or too much

• Talking about death

Learn more about warning signs from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

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What to do if you see signs

1. Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide, then listen without judgment. If someone says they are, call 988 or 9-1-1.

2. Keep people safe by removing access to potentially dangerous household items like firearms or medications.

3. Be there. Make an emotional connection. Let them know that you care.

4. Help them connect to support. Ensure they have hotline numbers programmed into their phone or written where they can easily find them.

5. Follow up with texts, calls or face-to-face visits.

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Lethal means safety means properly storing and limiting access to household things that could be used to harm yourself or other people in your household.

• Keep firearms locked and unloaded.

• Keep ammunition locked in a separate location.

• Limit large amounts of medication in the house.

• Dispose of unwanted prescription medications.

• Have Poison Control in your phone 1-800-222-1222 to find out what to do if you know what may have been ingested.

• Learn more about firearm safety and safe storage from the Vermont Department of Health.