Suicide: risks and prevention
Learn about the factors that can increase the risk for suicide and what helps to prevent it.
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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:
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
What helps to prevent suicide
There are a number of things that can help to guard against suicide, including:
- positive mental health and well-being
- a sense of hope, purpose, belonging and meaning
- social support
- healthy self-esteem and confidence in yourself
- 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)
- 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)
- positive relationships (peers, family, partner)
If you’re struggling with your mental health or are worried about someone, you’re not alone. Get help now.
For more information
- About suicide
- Preventing suicide: Warning signs and how to help
- Mental health support: Get help
- Find a crisis centre: Crisis centres across Canada
- Centre for Suicide Prevention
- Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health: Suicide assessment and prevention
- Mental Health Commission of Canada: Suicide prevention
- Association québécoise pour la prévention du suicide (available in French only)
- Centre de prévention du suicide de Québec (available in French only)
Resources for professionals
- Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
- Overview of Federal Initiatives in Suicide Prevention
- National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy
- National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy
- First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework
- Arctic Council: Sharing Hope: Circumpolar Perspectives on Promising Practices for Promoting Mental Wellness and Resilience
- World Health Organization: Preventing Suicide: A Global Imperative
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