Suicide: risks and prevention

Learn about the factors that can increase the risk for suicide and what helps to prevent it.

On this page

• Factors that increase the risk of suicide
• Preventing suicide
• For more information

Factors that increase the risk of suicide

No single cause can explain or predict suicide. Thoughts of suicide or suicide-related behaviours are a result of a combination of personal, social and cultural factors. The presence of these factors is different from person to person over their lifetime.

Factors that may increase the risk of suicide include:

• a prior suicide attempt
• mental illness like depression
• a sense of hopelessness or helplessness
  • this means that you believe your life or current situation won’t improve
• misuse of alcohol or substances
• chronic (long-term) physical pain or illness
• trauma, for example:
  • violence
  • victimization, like bullying
  • childhood abuse or neglect
  • suicide by a family member or friend
  • events that affect multiple generations of your family

Other factors that can increase the risk of suicide include:

• significant loss, including:
  • personal (relationships)
  • social
  • cultural
  • financial (job loss)
• major life changes or stressors, such as:
  • unemployment
  • homelessness
  • poor physical health or physical illness
  • the death of a loved one
  • harassment
  • discrimination
• lack of access to or availability of mental health services
• personal identity struggles (sexual, cultural)
• lack of support from family, friends or your community
• sense of isolation

Preventing suicide

There are a number of things that can help to guard against suicide, including:

• social support
• positive mental health and well-being
• healthy self-esteem and confidence in yourself
• a sense of hope, purpose, belonging and meaning
• asking for help if you’re having thoughts of suicide
• a sense of belonging and connectedness with your:
  • family
  • friends
  • culture
  • community

Other ways to help protect against risk of suicide include:

• a strong identity (personal, sexual, cultural)
• positive relationships (peers, family, partner)
• access to appropriate mental health services and support
• good coping and problems-solving skills, and the ability to adapt to change and new situations
• supportive environments where you’re accepted and valued (school, workplace, community)

If you’re struggling with your mental health or are worried about someone, you’re not alone. Get help now.