What Are the Risk Factors for Suicide?

Suicide rates have seen a worrisome uptick in recent years. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2023 report, suicide claims the lives of around 700,000 people each year, and there are many more who attempt it. In 2019, it was the fourth leading cause of death among people aged 15-29. In the United States alone, suicide rates have increased by 37% between 2000 and 2018. In one year in 2021, 1.7 million adults attempted suicide, and over 48.1k of the attempts ended in death.

This alarming trend can’t be attributed to just one issue alone. Rather, it’s a complex issue that stems from a combination of social, economic, psychological, and cultural factors. Below are just some of the risk factors for suicide that may contribute to the rise in rates. Then, we’ll discuss the ways you can help others if you ever notice these risks.

The Most Prevalent Risk Factors for Suicide

Mental Health Disorders

Mental health disorders like depression and anxiety are one of the most common risk factors for suicide. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) reports that potentially 90% of individuals who die by suicide have a mental health disorder. Other disorders that may be risk factors for suicide include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and eating disorders. Comorbid disorders, meaning an individual has more than one disorder, also increase the risk of someone attempting suicide.

Access to mental health care remains a barrier for many people. People who may struggle to afford insurance or lack it altogether will have fewer options to obtain mental healthcare for an affordable price. Price is not the only factor in mental health care. Even in this day and age, people are reluctant to reach out for professional help if they need it for fear of others looking down upon them.

Life Changes and Traumatic Events

Life changes and traumatic events, including the loss of a loved one, divorce, or job loss, can trigger depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders associated with suicide.

Recent studies have also identified that isolation caused by social media use, the decline of community and lack of social cohesion, and increased financial stress are contributing factors. Completing a move to a new part of the world and being unable to find a new support network can also become a factor in someone’s isolation.

Substance Abuse

Using alcohol or hard drugs increases the risk of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Abusing substances can be seen as a way to cope with life for some. But, it can worsen the underlying mental health condition that may trigger suicidal behaviors.

Substances can also include painkillers, anxiety medication, and more. Though these medications may seem to help with certain problems, they could be a means to make the individual numb to the mental or physical pain they are experiencing.

Sometimes traumatic events and substance abuse can go hand in hand. The substance helps an individual cope with a tragic event, but usage can spiral out of control fast. Soon, the individual may not feel like they can handle life without their desired substance.

What Can You Do to Help?

The rise in suicide rates highlights the importance of increased awareness, prevention, and access to treatment. Tackling this issue will not be simple and requires an effort by our whole society. There are, though, several things you can do on an individual level to help make a difference.

Increasing Mental Health Awareness

The stigma surrounding mental illness remains widespread in society, leading many who struggle with mental health challenges to suffer in silence. Negative attitudes and misconceptions about psychiatric disorders prevent people from openly discussing their issues and seeking treatment. This stigma arises from a lack of knowledge, as well as cultural biases that frame mental illness as a personal failing or character flaw.

Promoting awareness and education around mental health is key to dismantling stigma. We need to normalize conversations about mental health, understand these disorders as legitimate health problems, show compassion for those facing inner turmoil, and recognize the strength it takes to get support. Mental illnesses should be treated like physical illnesses – as conditions that require care and should not elicit shame.

Providing Access to Treatment

Access to treatment is crucial for preventing suicide. Being able to be cared for by a licensed medical professional can mean life or death for some. Advocating for better insurance coverage and improving access to mental healthcare services can ensure that people receive the treatment and resources they need. Speak out about how necessary mental health care is.

For those who struggle with mental disorders, it’s important that they are able to secure the medication they need to handle their disorder. Beyond medicine, it’s important that we all have someone that we trust we can speak with without judgment. For some, that means access to a therapist or psychologist is crucial, as they may not have a personal support system at home.

Building Stronger Communities

Support groups and social connections can help mitigate the risk of suicidal behavior. Depression, anxiety, and other disorders may make the individual feel isolated or unsafe opening up to others. Efforts to build stronger communities through social programs or even tiny personal events can reduce isolation and build a sense of connection and belonging. We all benefit from more connections and stronger relationships.

Know the Risk Factors for Suicide, Be the Change

The rise in suicide rates is a multi-faceted issue. There is no one solution that will fix everything, which is why promoting mental health awareness and encouraging others to speak up when they feel down, providing access to therapy and other forms of treatment, and building stronger, connected communities are vital. We need to work together to be the change we want to see.

Widespread change is needed across all types of sectors, including healthcare, education, and policy-making, to help prevent suicide and support individuals who may be at risk. Together, we can make progress towards a brighter future for all.

Reach out today to learn more about how we can make a difference. By working together, we have the power to create meaningful change in the suicide epidemic.

Hope starts here.