-Previous suicide
attempts are the single best predictor of future attempts, especially if
the person still wishes that he/she died
-Mental disorders,
particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia and substance use disorders
-Feelings of
hopelessness
-Impulsivity or
aggressiveness, particularly among younger individuals
-History of trauma or
abuse
-Major physical
illness
-Family history of
suicide or suicide attempts
-Loss of job or
relationship
-Having access to
lethal means
-Low social support or
feeling isolated
-Suicide in the local
area or highly publicized cases of suicide can lead to a contagion
effect or increase in suicide
-Feeling ashamed to
get help due to stigma or other barriers to seeking help
-Cultural or religious
beliefs that promote suicide as a noble act
-Feeling suddenly calm
after severe depression
-Making preparations
for death such as giving away possessions, getting personal business in
order or making a will
-Some signs that the
individual is at imminent risk for suicide:
-Direct warning of intention to die to family or friends
-Suicidal threats and gestures
-Actively looking for ways to hurt or kill oneself
-Writing or talking about death, dying or suicide
-Increased alcohol or substance use
-Sleeping most of the time or not at all
-Dramatic mood changes
-If you or someone you
know is in a suicidal crisis you should take him/her to an emergency
room or walk in mental health clinic, do not leave the individual until
help is available and remove anything that could be used in a suicide
attempt.
-Access to clinical
treatment for substance use, mental and physical disorders, and a
variety of interventions for these
-Problem solving
skills
-Restricted access to
lethal means
-Cultural and
religious beliefs that discourage suicide
-Strong connections to
family friends and other community or social supports
-If you notice someone
in a suicidal crisis you can help protect against suicide:
-Learn the risk
factors for suicide, and discuss it with the individual openly and
in a nonjudgmental manner
-Allow the
individual to express his/her feelings and accept that he/she is
really feeling that way
-Don’t lecture on
why suicide is wrong or the value of life
-Show interest and
support in the individual
-Don’t dare the
person to do it
-Don’t act
shocked, understand that suicidal thoughts and depression are common
and treatable
-Don’t ask why or
be sworn to secrecy
-Offer hope,
suggest alternatives, but don’t promise that the alternatives will
solve the person’s problems
-Remove lethal
means
- Seek help from
someone with expertise and encourage the individual to seek help
