What are the warning signs?
By Christina DeStefano

How many times have you heard your best friend say, "nothing matters anymore", "I am thinking of ending it all?” Such remarks should not be taken lightly but always taken seriously.

According to www.afsp.org suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students.  It also says that college students who commit suicide show different personality traits than non student suicides. Most young adults who commit suicide have impulsive, high risk-taking personalities, and the abuse of drugs and alcohol is frequent in this group. College suicides, by contrast, are largely depressed, quiet, socially isolated young people who do not abuse alcohol or drugs, and who draw little attention to themselves.

"A good friend of mine almost took her life because she was too scared to talk to anybody about her feelings.  Thank goodness she was able to get help because some do not get the chance.” said a Buffalo State College senior whose name is being kept confidential.

Some common warning signs of suicide:

• becoming depressed or withdrawn
• behaving recklessly
• getting affairs in order and giving away valued possessions
• showing a marked change in behavior, attitudes or appearance
• abusing drugs or alcohol
• suffering a major loss or life change

• crying
  
• fighting
  
• breaking the law
  
• impulsiveness
  
• self-mutilation
  
• writing about death and suicide
  
• previous suicidal behavior
  
• extremes of behavior
  
• changes in behavior
  

• lack of energy
  
• disturbed sleep patterns - sleeping too much or too little
  
• loss of appetite
  
• sudden weight gain or loss
  
• increase in minor illnesses
  
• change of sexual interest
  
• sudden change in appearance
  
• lack of interest in appearance