Warning Signs

Lifeguards are trained to recognize signs that a swimmer is going under the water and struggling to stay afloat. When it comes to mental health, a struggling individual may also display common signs and symptoms of distress. By being mindful of these signs, a concerned party can provide a needed life-preserver in the form of a referral to a caring mental health professional. While not an exhaustive list, the signs and symptoms listed below, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic, are among the ones we might expect to see:


Depression

  • Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness

  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt

  • Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities

  • Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort

  • Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements

  • Sleep disturbances (sleeping too much, or too little)

  • Eating disturbances (eating too much, or too little)

  • Trouble thinking or concentrating; difficulties with memory

  • Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

  • Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

Suicide

According to the CDC, 49,000 people completed suicide in the United States in the year 2022. This equates to roughly 1 suicide death every 11 minutes. Suicide is a highly preventable cause of death – and while a person’s decision to complete suicide can seem sudden, often there are warning signs that a person is contemplating it. By knowing the signs you or someone you know can get help. Review these signs, courtesy of the JED Foundation:

Things someone may say or think:

  • Talking or thinking about wanting to die, “killing themselves,” or complete suicide

  • Mentioning ways to end their life or making specific plans to do so

  • Thinking or talking about feeling empty, alone, or “over it”

  • Saying people in their life would be better off without them

Things someone may do:

  • Say goodbye to friends and family

  • Sleep less—or a lot more—than usual

  • Eat much less—or a lot more—than usual

  • Withdraw from people or social activities

  • Stop taking care of their personal hygiene

  • Increase their use of alcohol or drugs

  • Act recklessly

  • Have big changes in their usual behavior

Ways someone may feel:

  • Extremely anxious, agitated, irritable, or angry

  • Persistently sad or depressed

  • Up and down in their moods

  • Hopeless, trapped, or without purpose

  • Like a burden to others

  • Numb or not interested in the parts of life they usually enjoy

Any of these signs can indicate that someone is considering suicide or that they are experiencing serious emotional distress and need support right away. It is also possible that someone is thinking about suicide and not showing any of these signs. The bottom line is: If you’re worried about yourself or a friend, trust that instinct and take action.

In the event of a life-threatening emergency

  • On-campus phone campus police at 201.216.3911

  • Off-campus contact emergency services at 911

  • Other resources: national suicide helpline at 988; crisis text-line at 741-741

Additional Resources

  • Explore symptoms of mental health conditions courtesy of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

  • Learn more about signs of suicidality courtesy of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

  • Visit the Jed Foundation resource center for information about common emotional health issues and advice for teens and young adults on how they can support one another, overcome challenges, and make a successful transition to adulthood.

  • Explore the Active Minds, Inc. website to learn more about the mental health challenges facing today’s youth and for tips on self-care and positive coping.