For Concerned Parents, Friends, and Caregivers
Warning Signs of Suicide
or Mental Illness
Behaviors:
- Extreme mood swings
- Loss of interest in usual activities or hobbies
- Self harm
- Sudden grade drops
- Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
- Taking excessive risks
- Increased drug/alcohol use
- Disengaging from friends, family, and activities
- Acting anxious, agitated, or erraticÂ
- Giving away possessions
- Sending loving emails, making loving phone calls, giving extra love “just because”
- Sudden lift in mood – could indicate a decision/plan has been made
Words:
- Talking about death or suicide
- Expressing a desire to die
- Refusal to talk about the future
- Using phrases such as:
- I’m a burden
- I don’t deserve to live
- I just want the pain to go away
- I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to live
- I wish it would all go away
- Everyone would be better off without me
Feelings:
- Great shame or guilt
- Hopelessness
- Extreme sadness or angerÂ
- Physical illness
- Inexplicable pain
- Trapped, caged, agitated, anxious
- Tired all the time
- Disinterested, apathetic, ambivalent
Suicidality, Depression, and Mental Illness are highly treatable. If you recognize these or other warning signs in yourself, a friend, or a loved one, reach out for help as soon as possible. Anyone can heal with proper medical and mental health care. Seek help; the story is not over.
How You Can Help
Talking about/threatening suicide is NOT a call for attention, but a cry for help. If you are concerned about a child, friend, or loved one, we encourage you to have a loving, candid, non-judgmental conversation with that person about your concerns. Do not be afraid to ask, “Are you feeling suicidal?” That question may provide tremendous relief for someone experiencing deep emotional pain. Suspend all judgment, visit our Resources Page with your loved one, and make a plan to seek mental health care as soon as possible.
It is not your responsibility to “fix” your loved one; simply help them find the proper care and support them on their journey to mental wellness. Find help; restore hope.
*If your loved one is in immediate danger of hurting themself or others, call 911 right away.
RESOURCES PAGE > Here to Help
Caregiver Resources
Caring for a loved one struggling with their mental health can also affect your mental health. You MUST take care of yourself while caring for others.
Local DFW Parent and Caregiver Support Groups:
COMING SOON
Contact Us for details
CONTACT US Coffee Days Support Group for Women
Women sharing support, resources, and encouragement on the journey with a teen or young adult with mental illness. Meetings are on the first Thursday, second Thursday, and third Saturday of every month at 9:30 a.m. at Grant Halliburton Foundation in the Barb Farmer Community Room. There is no fee to attend. For more information visit Grant Halliburton website:
VISIT SITE NAMI of North Texas Caregiver Support Groups
Jewish Family Services of Greater Dallas - PLAN Family Support
The PLAN Family Support Group is for family, caretakers and others who have a loved one with severe mental illness, typically those diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar and major depressive disorder. If you are interested, please contact Ruth Josenhans, Director of PLAN (People Living Active Now) at 972-690-7526 or rjosenhans@jfsdallas.org.
VISIT SITE NAMI of North Texas Caregiver Support Groups
Online Support Groups and Caregiver Education:
- NAMI Basics: NAMI Basics is a 6-session education program for parents, caregivers and other family members who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms.
- Courage for Caregivers
- Caregiver Action Network: Loved Ones with Mental Health Issues Online Forum:
- Mental Health America: Mental Health Resources for Caregivers:
- SAMHSA: Embrace, Encourage, & Engage: Family and Caregiver Access to Child and Youth Mental Health Resources Webinar
- SAMHSA: Embrace, Encourage, & Engage: Family and Caregiver Access to Child and Youth Mental Health Resources in PDF
- SAMHSA: Family and Caregiver Access to Resources on Anxiety and Depression in Children and Youth.
- SAMHSA: Family and Caregiver Access to Resources on Anxiety and Depression in Children and Youth. in PDF
- NEABPD: Family Connections BPD/Emotion Dysregulation Program: Family Connections™ – BPD/Emotion Dysregulation is a free, evidence-based 24-hour course that meets weekly for either 8 or 12 weeks and requires 1-2 hours of weekly homework and practice.
