Risk Factors

Note: These risk factors do NOT necessitate suicide attempts. They are characteristics and situations that MAY increase the possibility of suicide attempts.

  • Previous suicide attempt(s)

  • Family history of suicide, abuse, trauma, and/or mental disorders

  • Active alcohol and/or substance abuse (especially when combined with depression)

  • Family history of alcohol and/or substance abuse

  • Underlying psychiatric and/or mood disorder — major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders such as borderline and antisocial

  • Access to lethal weapons and/or substances

  • Social isolation and/or alienation

  • Medical conditions such as chronic ailment or terminal illness

  • Conflict over sexual identity and/or other personal relationships

  • Major loss or stressor

  • Chemical makeup of brain — low concentrations of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleactic acid (5-HIAA) in cerebrospinal fluid

  • Impulsivity

  • Discrimination

  • Historical and/or generational trauma

  • Internalized stigma towards mental health

  • Certain demographics — see the statistics page for up to date data on suicide prevalence

SOURCES:

NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS. UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE.

centers for disease control and prevention. risk and protective factors.