Suicide is a complex human behavior, with no single determining cause. The factors that affect the likelihood of a person attempting or dying by are known as risk or protective factors, depending on whether they raise or lower the likelihood of suicidal behavior.
Major risk factors for suicide include:
- Prior suicide attempt(s)
- Mood disorders
- Substance abuse
- Access to lethal means
Major protective factors include:
- Effective mental health care
- Connectedness
- Problem-solving skills
SOURCE: Suicide Prevention Resource Center, a national technical assistance center that is federally funded under a cooperative agreement with SAMHSA , the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency within the U.S . Dept. of Health and Human Services.
Download SPRC’s Risk and Protective Factors Resource Sheet