If you or someone you know is in an emergency, text “CARE4U” to 741741 or call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors are both damaging and dangerous. Someone experiencing these thoughts should seek immediate assistance from a health or mental health care provider. Having suicidal thoughts does not mean someone is weak or flawed.
Know the Warning Signs
- Threats or comments about killing themselves, also known as suicidal ideation, can begin with seemingly harmless thoughts like “I wish I wasn’t here” but can become more overt and dangerous
- Increased alcohol and drug use
- Aggressive behavior
- Social withdrawal from friends, family and the community
- Dramatic mood swings
- Talking, writing or thinking about death
- Impulsive or reckless behavior
Risk Factors for Suicide
Research has found that more than half of people who died by suicide did not have a known mental health condition. A number of other things may put a person at risk of suicide, including:
- A family history of suicide
- Substance abuse. Drugs and alcohol can result in mental highs and lows that exacerbate suicidal thoughts
- Intoxication. More than one in three people who die from suicide are found to be currently under the influence
- Access to firearms
- A serious or chronic medical illness
- Gender. Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are four times more likely to die by suicide
- A history of trauma or abuse
- Prolonged stress
- Isolation
- Age. People under age 24 or above age 65 are at a higher risk for suicide
- A recent tragedy or loss
- Agitation and sleep deprivation
- Sexual orientation. Stress resulting from prejudice and discrimination (family rejection, bullying, violence) is a known risk factor for suicide attempts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth.
Adapted from National Alliance on Mental Illness – Risk of Suicide
Protective Factors
Protective factors are personal or environmental characteristics that help protect people from suicide.
Major protective factors for suicide include:
- Effective behavioral health care
- Connectedness to individuals, family, community, and social institutions
- Life skills (including problem solving skills and coping skills, ability to adapt to change)
- Self-esteem and a sense of purpose or meaning in life
- Cultural, religious, or personal beliefs that discourage suicide
Additional Resources
- Crisis Text line: Text “CARE4U” to 741741
- Suicide Prevention Life Line: 1-800-273-TALK (free support line)
- Trevor Project: Crisis counselors are specially trained in the area of LGBTQ
- Trevor Text line: Text START to 678678
- Trevor Life Line: 1-866-488-7386
