Never take a reference to death lightly. If you hear comments like “I wish I would die” or “Why can’t I just get hit by a bus?” take these comments seriously. They can be indicators that a person wants to die.
Look for a newfound fascination with dying. As the Mayo Clinic points out, this may reflect an obsession with death and violence. If you see this type of behavior, talk to a professional immediately to find out how to proceed.
Preparing for Suicide
Though actual suicide preparation process is a delicate topic, it’s one that you need to consider. Suicide often takes planning, so look for things that point to a plan to end life.
This starts with guns. Future suicide victims may purchase a gun when they’ve never had an interest in guns before, or they may buy bullets for a firearm that has been untouched for years. Another thing to look for is an excessive amount of pills that haven’t been taken, but instead collected.
Reckless or Withdrawn Behavior
Suicide involves twisted and distorted thinking. So victims often withdraw before the act has been attempted. If a person has been social and is no longer interested in day-to-day events that he or she once enjoyed, this is a red flag.
Further, look for reckless behavior. A loved one might drive carelessly. This could involve running yellow stoplights at the last possible minute. Or it could involve driving extremely fast with no concern for curves or law enforcement officials.