Every year nearly 800,000 people die by suicide, almost every 40 seconds someone commits suicide. Between the ages, 15-24 suicide is the second leading cause of death. With this, it is important to recognize the warning signs of suicide so you can potentially help someone in need. 

Here are some easy warning signs of suicidal thoughts and actions: 

1. Talking about dying or wanting to die
2. Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or expressing having ‘no way out’ of problems
3. Mentioning strong feelings of guilt and shame
4. Talking about not having a reason to live or that others would be better off without them
5. Social withdrawal and isolation
6. Giving away personal items and wrapping up loose ends

Here are some less obvious signs of suicidal thoughts and actions: 

1. Any unusual changes in behavior 
2. Changes in sleeping patterns 
3. Accessing lethal means 
4. Emotional distance 
5. Physical pain 

Here are some good ways to check up on someone without triggering them. You can ask the following questions: 

• How are you coping with what’s been happening in your life?
• Do you ever feel like just giving up?
• Are you thinking about dying?
• Are you thinking about hurting yourself?
• Are you thinking about suicide?
• Have you ever thought about suicide before, or tried to harm yourself before?
• Have you thought about how or when you’d do it?
• Do you have access to weapons or things that can be used as weapons to harm yourself?

Suicide is never the option in any circumstance, you should always look to get help from close family and friends. everyone would rather listen to you about your feelings and problems than sit at your funnel crying and thinking about what they could have done to help.

The most important thing you can do to help someone is to let you know that you are there for someone, make them feel safe and wanted. You have to listen to them and let the person talk without judging them. Tell them that they need to work to get better and seek help and that this pain is only temporary.