Risk Factors
Research has shown that suicidal behavior is complex and there is no one cause that explains why people die by suicide. However, there are specific factors that are associated with a higher risk of dying by suicide. Although the presence of one or more of these risk factors doesn’t mean that it’s inevitable that someone will die by suicide, it’s helpful to be familiar with them because they tend to be present in people most at risk for suicide. These risk factors include (but are not limited to):
- Mental health issues, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental disorders
- Certain medical conditions or chronic pain
- Family history of suicide
- Substance abuse
- History of physical abuse or sexual abuse
- Access to lethal means, particularly firearms (the presense of firearms in the home increases the risk for suicide even for people who have never contemplated suicide in the past)
- Previous suicide attempt or suicidal behavior
- Excessive/prolonged amounts of stress
- Impulsivity (acting without careful thought): In accordance with Joiner’s theory, people who are impulsive may be more likely to engage in risky behavior, including self-harming behavior, which in turn, allows them to aquire the capaility for suicide.
- Exposure or learning about another person's suicide