Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. And suicide rates are increasing. In this WLTX news story, a Midlands mother shares her story of losing her son after he took his own life. And, Dr. Danniel Avosso, medical director of Lexington Medical Center's Emergency department, talks about warning signs that a loved one may be considering suicide.

According to Dr. Avosso, his staff sees five to 10 patients daily with mental health concerns. In addition, clinicians screen each patient in the ER for mental health issues.

He says most individuals considering suicide will show warning signs such as:
-Changes in sleep patterns
-Changes in diet
-Increased alcohol consumption
-Personality changes
-Increased feelings of hopelessness.

There are also factors that put individuals at a higher risk of becoming suicidal. Risk factors include:
-Chronic pain
-Bullying
-Mental health conditions such as PTSD or bipolar disorder
-Previous suicide attempts

If you are considering taking your own life or are worried about a loved one, it's always OK to ask for help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.