September is suicide prevention month, and it’s important that we take the time to discuss the risk factors associated with suicide. Suicide is a problem that is often overlooked, but it’s important to remember that suicide can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender. There are many risk factors associated with suicide, and it’s important to be aware of them so that you can help prevent suicide in your community. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common risk factors for suicide. 

Risk factors are characteristics or conditions that increase the chance that a person may try to
take their life.

Health
    • Mental health conditions
    • Depression
    • Substance use problems
    • Bipolar disorder
    • Schizophrenia
    • Personality traits of aggression, mood changes and poor relationships
    • Conduct disorder
    • Anxiety disorders
    • Serious physical health conditions including pain
    • Traumatic brain injury

Environmental
    • Access to lethal means including firearms and drugs
    • Prolonged stress, such as harassment, bullying, relationship problems or unemployment
    • Stressful life events, like rejection, divorce, financial crisis, other life transitions or loss
    • Exposure to another person’s suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of suicide

Historical
    • Previous suicide attempts
    • Family history of suicide
    • Childhood abuse, neglect or trauma

Protective Factors
    • Access to mental health care, and being proactive about mental health
    • Feeling connected to family and community support
    • Problem-solving and coping skills
    • Limited access to lethal means
    • Cultural and religious beliefs that encourage connecting and help-seeking, discourage suicidal behavior, or create a strong sense of purpose or self-esteem

Warning signs

Something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in
behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors. This is of sharpest concern if the new or
changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss, or change. Most people who take their
lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do.

Talk
If a person talks about:
   • Killing themselves
   • Feeling hopeless
   • Having no reason to live
   • Being a burden to others
   • Feeling trapped
   • Unbearable pain

Behavior
Behaviors that may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss or change:
   • Increased use of alcohol or drugs
   • Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods
   • 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

Mood
People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:
   • Depression
   • Anxiety
   • Loss of interest
   • Irritability
   • Humiliation/Shame
   • Agitation/Anger
   • Relief/Sudden Improvement

We hope that this blog post has helped to increase your awareness of the risk factors for suicide. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please do not hesitate to reach out for help. Our team of experts is here to provide support and guidance during this difficult time. You are not alone, and there is help available