Suicide Tendencies: Understanding the Concept, Identifying Risk Factors, and Strategies for Survival
Suicide is a complex issue that affects individuals, families, and communities worldwide. Recent studies have shed light on the various factors that contribute to the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior, as well as the protective measures that can help prevent it.
Risk Factors for Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior
Individual risk factors for suicide include a history of suicide attempts, mental illnesses (especially depression), chronic illnesses, substance use, impulsive or aggressive tendencies, experiences of violence, a sense of hopelessness, and legal or financial problems. Relationship risk factors involve bullying, a history of suicide in family or loved ones, loss of relationships, high-conflict or violent relationships, and social isolation. Community and environmental risk factors encompass lack of healthcare access, suicide clusters, community violence, discrimination, stigma related to mental illness and help-seeking, stress from acculturation or historical trauma, unsafe media portrayals of suicide, and easy access to lethal means.
For teenagers, environments involving substance use at home, neglect, abuse, poverty, homelessness, or starvation can elevate the risk of suicide.
Protective Factors for Suicide Prevention
Protective factors that can help prevent suicidal thoughts and behavior include developing effective coping and problem-solving skills, having meaningful reasons for living (such as family, friends, pets), a strong sense of cultural identity, supportive relationships, feeling socially connected, access to consistent, high-quality physical and behavioral healthcare, restrictions on access to lethal means of suicide, and cultural, religious, or moral objections to suicide.
Acquiring new life abilities to become more resilient is another protective factor. Being active, such as through exercise, can improve mood. Having a routine can help maintain healthy eating and sleeping patterns. Limiting alcohol intake can help manage depression.
Addressing the Complexity of Suicide Prevention
Suicide prevention relies on addressing the complex interplay of risk factors across personal, relational, and societal domains while strengthening protective factors like social support and mental health care access. Early identification of warning signs, especially in vulnerable groups such as adolescents under stress or with difficult environments, combined with compassionate intervention is key to reducing suicide risk.
If someone is having suicidal thoughts or considering taking their own life, they should seek emotional support from a healthcare professional, family member, or friend immediately. Help is available 24/7 through the 988 Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, or local emergency services.
[1] World Health Organization. (2020). Suicide prevention: a global imperative. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/mental_health/ prevention_suicide/suicideprevention/en/ [2] American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2021). Risk factors and protective factors. Retrieved from https://afsp.org/about-suicide/risk-factors-protective-factors/ [3] National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Suicide prevention. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/index.shtml
- A robust mental health care system and accessible health-and-wellness resources, such as therapy and counseling services, can serve as effective protective measures against suicide crises.
- The science of mental health seeks to identify lines of evidence that connect various risk factors, like hopelessness and financial problems, with suicidal thoughts and behavior, offering strategies for prevention.
- Incorporating line items for mental health education, coupled with suicide prevention programs, into the health curriculum in schools can help prevent crises among adolescents and promote their overall mental wellbeing.
