fourteen days after warning signs of suicide the colonel and i found on the web : previous suicide attempts verbally threatening suicide giving away prized possessions collecting and discussing methods of suicide expressions of hopelessness and anger at oneself and/or the world writing , talking , reading , and drawing about death and/or depression suggesting that the person would not be missed if s/he were gone self-injury recent loss of a friend or family member through death or suicide sudden and dramatic decline in academic performance eating disorders , sleeplessness , excessive sleeping , chronic headaches use ( or increased use ) of mind-altering substances loss of interest in sex , hobbies , and other activities previously enjoyed alaska displayed two of those warning signs .