Risk Factors & Protective Factors
Risk Factors
A history of mental health conditions, like:
- Depression
- Bipolar
- Schizophrenia
- Anxiety Disorders
- Substance Abuse Disorders
A history of:
- Self-injury
- Chronic disease and/or disability
- Chronic pain
- Traumatic brain injury
- Prolonged stress resulting from 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
- Experienced trauma or a traumatic event
- Access to lethal means including firearms and drugs
- Social isolation
- Lack of access to behavioral health care
- Homelessness
- Feeling unsafe
- High stress family environment or dynamic
- Academic or family crisis
- Risky health behaviors (e.g. substance abuse, unsafe sex practices, etc.)
- Cultural or religious beliefs that suggest suicide is a solution
- Unwillingness to seek help
- Victimization, at home or at school, for example
- Previous suicide attempts
- Family history of suicide
- Childhood abuse, neglect or trauma
Risk factors can vary by age group, culture, sex, and other characteristics.
LGBTQIA Youth
Certain risk factors affect Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual and/or Ally youth and make them high risk for suicide. They often experience stress resulting from prejudice and discrimination (family rejection, bullying, violence).
Native Americans
Many Native Americans experience historical trauma resulting from resettlement, and destruction of cultures and economies which contributes to the high rate of suicide in this population.
Middle-Aged Men
Men in the middle years may experience stressors that challenge traditional male roles, such as unemployment and divorce.
Protective Factors
Protective factors are personal or environmental characteristics that help protect people from suicide.
- Accessible, culturally competent and effective behavioral health care, including being proactive about mental health
- Connectedness to individuals, family, community, and social institutions
- Life skills (including problem solving skills and coping skills, ability to adapt to change, conflict resolution)
- Self-esteem and a sense of purpose or meaning in life
- Cultural, religious, or personal beliefs that discourage suicide and encourage connecting and help-seeking, discourage suicidal behavior, or create a strong sense of purpose or self-esteem
- Restricted access to highly lethal means (e.g. firearms)
- Connectedness to safe and supportive schools
- Academic, artistic and athletic achievements
- Positive role models
Special thanks to the The Trevor Project, Suicide Prevention Resource Center, and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
