Suicide does not have one single cause.

But when someone is thinking of ending their life, they may do one or more of these warning signs:

• Giving belongings away
• Depressed
• Being withdrawn from usual activities, friends or family
• Neglecting medical advice
• Getting affairs in order
• Reckless behaviour (they no longer care about the consequences of their actions)
• Saying ‘goodbye’
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Talking about being a burden or having no sense of purpose
• Self-harm
• Increased substance misuse
• Talking about wanting to die
• Personality change

These behaviours can appear in their actions, conversations, text messages and in social media posts. If you see these warning signs, especially if they are new, or follow a loss, change or painful event – it’s OK to have a conversation and it’s time to ASK the question.

Signs of suicide online

IMPORTANT: If someone's life is in danger - for example they have seriously harmed themselves or taken a drug overdose - call 999 for an ambulance or go straight to A&E (the closest to St Helens is Whiston Hospital)