Debbie Reisert was shocked when her 16-year-old grandson, Brian Stephens, killed himself in May 2009 with a gun he found in a neighbor’s trailer.

The Packwood resident said that at the time she was blind-sided by her grandson’s actions.

“Knowing what I know now, we didn’t recognize the risks associated with suicide,” Reisert said. “When people think of suicide, they think about the warning signs, and Brian didn’t have many of those warning signs. He wasn’t giving his things away or doing the things that we all think of before a suicide attempt.”

Mental health experts suggest people learn the common warning signs for suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die.

• Looking for a way to kill oneself.

• Talking about feeling depressed, hopeless or having no purpose.

• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.

• Talking about being a burden to others.

• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.

• Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly.

• Sleeping too little or too much.

• Withdrawing or feeling isolated.

• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.

• Displaying extreme mood swings.

• Giving away prized possessions.

• Hinting at not being around in the future or saying goodbye.

• Dealing with a recent death of a friend or family member, breakup or conflict with parents.

Justin Farrell, clinical director at Vancouver’s Real Life Counseling, says that concerned adults should not be afraid to ask youth if they are thinking about suicide.