Support for Suicidal Individuals on social and digital media

HOW TO IDENTIFY SOMEONE AT RISK FOR SUICIDE ONLINE One of the first hurdles to cross in establishing a process for suicidal community members is one of identification. How do you know if someone may be in suicidal crisis?

People often express one or more warning signs before attempting suicide. In general, a person expressing one or more of the following warning signs in a comment, message, profile, or post online may be considering suicide: Talking about wanting to die or kill oneself Expressing the desire to kill or injure themselves Looking for information about methods of suicide Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain Talking about being a burden to others (“People are better off without me�)

Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly Withdrawing or feeling isolated Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge Displaying extreme mood swings Talking about wishing to harm themselves Expressing a heightened fixation with death or violence 3