2026-09-25 · Written by the SPS team
Warning Signs of Suicide, What to Watch For
Watch for withdrawal, giving away possessions, sudden mood swings, increased substance use, and both direct statements ("I want to die") and indirect ones ("I won't be a burden much longer"). This isn't a diagnosis, it's a prompt to ask directly and get help.
Behavioural signs to watch for
Pulling away from friends, family, or things they used to enjoy. Giving away possessions that matter to them, especially ones with sentimental value. Sudden mood swings, including an unexplained calm after a period of visible despair. Increased use of alcohol or drugs. Big changes in sleeping or eating. Losing interest in school, work, sport, or church without an obvious reason. Any one of these on its own isn't proof of anything. A cluster of them, or a sharp change from how someone normally is, is worth taking seriously.
Verbal signs, direct and indirect
Direct statements are the easiest to miss because we don't want to believe them: "I want to die," "I wish I wasn't here," "I won't wake up tomorrow." Take these literally, every time. Indirect statements are more common and easier to dismiss: "I won't be a burden much longer," "everyone would be better off without me," "there's no point anymore," "I just want the pain to stop." Don't wait for someone to say the word "suicide" before you take them seriously.
The myth that costs lives
One of the most dangerous misconceptions is that if someone seems suddenly calmer or happier after a period of despair, the danger has passed. Sometimes it has. Sometimes that calm is relief because a decision has already been made. A sudden shift in mood, in either direction, is a reason to check in more closely, not less. For more common misconceptions like this one, see Suicide Myths vs. Facts.
This list isn't a diagnosis
You don't need to be a professional to notice these signs, and you don't need to be certain before you act. If something feels off, trust that instinct. The worst outcome of asking someone directly if they're okay is an awkward conversation. The worst outcome of staying silent can be permanent.
What to do once you've spotted the signs
Ask directly. Research consistently shows that asking someone if they're thinking about suicide doesn't put the idea in their head, it opens the door for them to be honest. For the words to use in that first conversation, read What to Do in the First Five Minutes. For the days and weeks of support that follow, read How to Help a Suicidal Friend in South Africa. If you're in South Africa, SADAG's crisis line is 0800 567 567, free and available 24/7.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."
— Ecclesiastes 4:9-10