How can you tell the difference between a suicide attempt and a gesture?

Takes a professional: An attempt means that someone tried to actually kill themself. A gesture is posturing about the action. We are very concerned if someone has a plan for suicide, has left a note, and is expected to try. Gestures are more commonly associated with manipulation of people to gain credence or attention.

Take acts seriously: Especially with children and adolescents, there may be a poor understanding of what an action can do. For example, an overdose of tylenol (acetaminophen) may be intended as a "cry for help, " but high enough doses can destroy the liver, which may lead to death. Any suicide attempt, no matter how unlikely to cause harm, merits detailed attention to what is making like seem so bad.