Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain's suicides have shocked America - here are the warning signs to look out for that someone could be in danger
- Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain and designer Kate Spade died this week.
- Bourdain's employer CNN described his death as a suicide, and a medical examiner ruled Spade's death a suicide.
- It's important to know the warning signs that someone might be suicidal, which include talking about killing yourself and increased use of alcohol or drugs.
- Risk factors for suicidality include mental-health conditions such as depression.
Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain was found dead Friday morning. The cause of death was suicide, according to CNN, and early reports indicated that he had hanged himself, Business Insider's Alex Lockie reported.
Just one day earlier, the New York City Medical Examiner's office confirmed that the designer Kate Spade's cause of death earlier this week was also suicide by hanging, Business Insider's Alison Millington reported.
Spade's husband, Andy Spade, said in a statement to The New York Times that she had "suffered from depression and anxiety for many years." Bourdain told The Guardian in 2017 that he'd been "an unhappy soul, with a huge heroin and then crack problem. I hurt, disappointed and offended many, many, many people and I regret a lot."
It's impossible to identify a specific motivation for either suicide, and in retrospect anything can seem like a sign of suicidality. But mental-health experts have pinpointed both risk factors for suicidality and warning signs that someone is going to take their own life.
Warning signs, according to psychologist Deborah Syrani, writing on Psychology Today, suggest that a suicidal crisis has already begun. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention outlines a series of warning signs including:
- Talking about killing themselves, feeling hopeless, having no reason to live, being a burden to others, feeling trapped, or unbearable pain
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Looking for a way to end their lives
- Withdrawing from activities
- Isolating from family and friends
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
- Giving away prized possessions
- Aggression
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of interest
- Irritability
- Humiliation or shame
- Agitation or anger
- Relief or sudden improvement
On CNN, Jodi Gold, Director of the Gold Center for Mind Health and Wellness, said that changes in social-media behavior - specifically, talking about death or suicidality - can also be a red flag.
Syrani writes that risk factors increase the probability that a suicidal crisis will occur. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention says those risk factors include: mental health conditions, such as depression or substance-abuse problems, stressful life events, and previous suicide attempts. You can see the full list of risk factors on the AFSP website.
According to Mental Health America, eight out of 10 people considering suicide give some sign of their intentions.
On CNN, Gold said that if you have a friend or family member you're worried about, don't be afraid to ask if they're depressed, or even if they're thinking about killing themselves. If they say they are, you can let a therapist or doctor know.
When it comes to asking outright if someone is depressed or suicidal, Gold said, "people don't do it enough."
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or has had thoughts of harming themselves or taking their own life, get help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress, as well as best practices for professionals and resources to aid in prevention and crisis situations.