• RISK FACTORS

    Characteristics or conditions that increase the chance that a person may try to take their life:

    health factors

    • Mental health conditions
      • Depression
      • Bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder
      • Schizophrenia
      • Borderline or antisocial personality disorder
      • Conduct disorder
      • Psychotic disorders, or psychotic symptoms in the context of any disorder
      • Anxiety disorders
    • Substance abuse disorders
    • Serious or chronic health condition and/or pain

    environmental factors

    • Stressful life events which may include a death, divorce, or job loss
    • Prolonged stress factors which may include harassment, bullying, relationship problems, and unemployment
    • Access to lethal means including firearms and drugs
    • Exposure to another person’s suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of suicide

    historical factors

    • Previous suicide attempts
    • Family history of suicide attempts