CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. The Nature and Scope of Suicide
2. Recognizing the Progressive Development of Suicide
3. Substance Abuse as a Major Contributor to Suicide
4. Suicide Across the Life Span
5. Special Populations and Suicide Risk
6. Prevention and Early Intervention for Suicide and Substance Abuse Problems

Supplements
References
Resources

Holding the Lifeline
A Guide to Suicide Prevention

Identifying Risk Factors for Suicide

What puts individuals similar to Sean, Tanya, Frank, Joe, and Jerry at risk for suicide? How can society understand the factors contributing to suicide's progression and conversely find ways to counter them with healthy behaviors?

Researchers and practitioners are examining these and other questions that need to be addressed in order to intervene in individual cases and to prevent suicide among diverse populations. The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention has identified the following factors related to suicide: ref

Risk Factors (What Makes Suicide More Likely?)

Risk factors are those characteristics present within an individual or group that create the greater potential for suicidal behavior. Risk factors may be present in the individual, in the environment, or within the social and cultural context.

Biopsychosocial Risk Factors

• Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder), schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and certain personality disorders
• Alcohol and other substance use disorders
• Hopelessness
• Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
• History of trauma or abuse
• Some major physical illnesses
• Previous suicide attempt
• Family history of suicide

Environmental Risk Factors

• Job or financial loss
• Relational or social loss
• Easy access to lethal means
• Local clusters of suicide that have a contagious influence

Sociocultural Risk Factors

• Lack of social support and sense of isolation
• Stigma associated with help-seeking behavior
• Barriers to accessing healthcare, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment
• Certain cultural and religious beliefs (for instance, the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma)
• Exposure to, including through the media, and influence of others who have died by suicide