Suicide prevention: Risk factors, warning signs to look out for

There's no single cause for suicide.

However, there are risk factors and warning signs to look out for that could save a life.

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Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, or AFSP.

Conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance problems, especially when unaddressed, increase risk for suicide.

Risk Factors

Risk factors, or characteristics that could increase the chance of someone taking their own life, also include:

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

Warning Signs

• A change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors is considered a warning sign by the AFSP.
  
  "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," according to AFSP

Warning signs, according to the AFSP, include:

• 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

• Support Resources

If you are having thoughts of suicide, crisis and support services are available.

• • Call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, free and confidential support.

  • To reach the Veterans Crisis Line, dial 800-273-8255 and press 1.

  • Individuals can also text to connect with a crisis counselor through the Crisis Text Line. Text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor for free, 24/7.

Other resources include:

• Vets4Warriors

• SAMHSA Treatment Referral Hotline (Substance Abuse): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

• RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

• National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474

• The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Also visit your:

• Primary care provider

• Local psychiatric hospital

• Local walk-in clinic

• Local emergency department

• Local urgent care center

• Finding mental health care

• Call 9-1-1 if you are in need of emergency help.