Warning Signs

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Suicide | Depression | Substance Abuse | Bullying

The prospect that a child might be suicidal, depressed, using drugs, or bullying or being bullied is heartbreaking to us. As parents, guardians, educators, and other professionals who care about kids, we want to know what the warning signs are so that we can address problems before the consequences are too dire. Borrowing heavily from the major Federal government centers, we have pulled together lists of warning signs for each of the major foci of Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life. It is important to note that the lists are not comprehensive, nor do they apply to every child. Some kids may exhibit few, if any, discernible signs from these lists. Others may have warning signs that are unique to them. You will recognize that there is considerable overlap among the warning signs. That is because these issues can be interrelated, stemming from the same adversity, or even causing each other. It also is important to note that most of the warning signs involve changes in behaviors. As a result, we are not going to be able to recognize changes in our children’s behaviors unless we are present to them to know what is normal and what is not. Finally, if you think a child in your life is in crisis, do not wait around for the warning signs. Trust your gut. Get professional help right away. 

 

Warning Signs of Suicide

Warning signs of suicide should not be ignored. If a child in your life exhibits any of these, get professional help right away.

  • Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself

  • Looking for a way to kill oneself

  • 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

  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

  • Acting anxious or agitated

  • Behaving recklessly

  • Sleeping too little or too much

  • Withdrawing or feeling isolated

  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

  • Displaying extreme mood swings

    (Source:  U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

Warning Signs of Depression

Depression is different than feeling sad or overwhelmed following adversity. Depression does not pass with time. If a child exhibits any of these, then that child may need professional help.

  • Acting sad or anxious

  • Talking about feeling hopeless or like everything is going wrong

  • Talking about feeling worthless or helpless

  • Expressing guilt about things

  • Being irritable much of the time

  • Withdrawing from friends and family

  • Losing interest or pleasure in activities and hobbies that used to be enjoyable

  • Declining grades, losing interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school

  • Displaying changes in eating or sleeping habits 

  • Acting tired or complaining about low or no energy

  • Acting restless or having trouble sitting still

  • Having trouble concentrating, remembering information, or making decisions

  • Having aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or stomach problems without causes

  • Talking about suicide

    (Source:  National Institute of Mental Health)

 Warning Signs of Substance Abuse

Unlike typical childhood problems, the following warning signs of substance abuse tend to happen in clusters and in dramatic fashion. If a child exhibits any combinations of these, especially if they appeared suddenly and extremely, then it might indicate the need for a professional to screen for drug or alcohol abuse. 

  • Displaying extreme mood swings

  • Declining grades, losing interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school

  • Changing friends and showing reluctance to family knowing the new friends

  • Losing interest or pleasure in activities and hobbies that used to be enjoyable

  • Acting tired or complaining about low or no energy

  • Finding substances (drugs or alcohol) in the child’s room or personal effects

  • Having trouble concentrating or remembering information

  • Exhibiting a lack of coordination or slurred speech 

    (Source:  Youth.gov)

 Warning Signs for Bullying

Bullies are not going to admit that they are bullying, and victims of bullying are unlikely to tell us that they are being bullied for a variety of reasons.  Consequently, it is important to recognize these warning signs and to seek professional help when they are present.

Being Bullied

  • Having unexplainable injuries

  • Losing or having damaged clothing and other possessions

  • Having aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or stomach problems without causes

  • Changing eating habits (suddenly eating too much or too little)

  • Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares

  • Declining grades, losing interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school

  • Losing friends or avoiding social situations

  • Talking about feeling worthless or helpless

  • Exhibiting self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, self-harming themselves, or talking about suicide

 

Bullying Others

  • Getting into physical or verbal fights

  • Having friends who bully others

  • Acting increasingly aggressive

  • Getting sent to the principal’s office or to detention frequently

  • Having unexplained money or new possessions

  • Blaming others for their problems

  • Not accepting responsibility for actions

  • Being competitive and worrying about reputation or popularity

    (Source:  StopBullying.gov)

For additional insights, read the following:

Suicidal Behavior. (2018, February 26). Retrieved June 4, 2020, from https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/suicidal-behavior

Teen Depression. (n.d.). Retrieved June 4, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/teen-depression/index.shtml

Warning Signs of Substance Abuse. (n.d.). Retrieved June 4, 2020, from https://youth.gov/youth-topics/substance-abuse/warning-signs-adolescent-substance-abuse

Warning Signs for Bullying. (2019, December 4). Retrieved June 4, 2020, from https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/warning-signs