Learn to Recognize the Signs

Many Veterans may not show any signs of intent to harm themselves before doing so, but some actions can be a sign that a Veteran needs help. Veterans in crisis may show behaviors that indicate a risk of harming themselves.

Veterans who are considering suicide often show signs of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and/or hopelessness, such as:

Appearing sad or depressed most of the time Clinical depression: deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating—that doesn’t go away or continues to get worse Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep Neglecting personal welfare, deteriorating physical appearance Withdrawing from friends, family, and society, or sleeping all the time Losing interest in hobbies, work, school, or other things one used to care about Frequent and dramatic mood changes Expressing feelings of excessive guilt or shame Feelings of failure or decreased performance Feeling that life is not worth living, having no sense of purpose in life Talk about feeling trapped—like there is no way out of a situation Having feelings of desperation, and saying that there’s no solution to their problems.

Their behavior may be dramatically different from their normal behavior, or they may appear to be actively contemplating or preparing for a suicidal act through behaviors such as:

Performing poorly at work or school Acting recklessly or engaging in risky activities—seemingly without thinking Showing violent behavior such as punching holes in walls, getting into fights or self-destructive violence; feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge Looking as though one has a “death wish,” tempting fate by taking risks that could lead to death, such as driving fast or running red lights Giving away prized possessions Putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, and/or making out a will Seeking access to firearms, pills, or other means of harming oneself

If you are a Veteran or know a Veteran who is showing any of the above warning signs, please call the Veterans Crisis Line