Risk and Protective Factors
There are no big or small, serious or non-serious risk factors. There are no equations for balancing or weighing risk factors against protective factors. Some risk factors are more statistically significant and correlated with suicidal behaviors – but they don’t necessarily need to be present for someone to be suicidal. Some risk factors are “symptoms” – those expressions of emotion or feelings that are reported to you. Some risk factors are “signs” – those behaviors which are observed. Some people express their distress or despair in behavioral changes, some through their emotions.
The most common risk factors are:
* AGE
Elderly Caucasian males and young adults (age 15-24 years)
* GENDER
Males are three to five times more likely to die by suicide than females
* SEXUAL ORIENTATION
GLBT individuals are at increased risk for suicidal behaviors
* PAST HISTORY OF SUICDE ATTEMPTS
Those who have made prior suicide attempts are at much higher risk for repeating the behavior
* PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER
The following disorders all share increased risks for suicide:
o Depression
o Bipolar disorder
o Anxiety
o Schizophrenia
o Alcohol or other substance abuse
o Borderline personality disorder, and
o Antisocial personality disorder
* ALCOHOL or OTHER DRUG ABUSE
The abuse of alcohol or other drugs (legal or illegal) raises the risk of suicide
* GENETIC PREDISPOSITION
A family history of suicide, depression, or other psychiatric disorder confers increased risk
* IMPULSIVITY
Impulsive and/or aggressive individuals are more apt to act on suicidal impulses
* SUDDEN or UNEXPECTED PERSONAL LOSSES
Individuals can feel overwhelmed or distraught after a sudden loss
* ACCESS TO LETHAL MEANS
Particularly firearms and medications
Protective factors include:
* Effective clinical care for mental, physical, and substance use disorders
* Easy access to a variety of interventions and support for help-seeking
* Restricted access to highly lethal methods of suicide
* Strong connections to family, friends, and community support
* Skills in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent handling of disputes
* Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation
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If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be at risk for suicide, we strongly encourage you to do one or more of the following:
* Contact a mental health provider on your campus or in your community
* Call 1-800-273-8255(TALK), the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, for a referral
* Call your college’s emergency number
* Call 911
