Suicide

Often when a person is thinking about suicide, they are trying desperately to make sense of their situation or to change it in some way. They often feel isolated and unheard.

Anything can be a risk factor for suicide, depending on how the person sees it, and partly on;

  • ways the person has learned to think about themselves and cope with problems, such as their level of confidence in their own ability to bring about changes in their life
  • the person’s ability and opportunity to cope, which can be affected by their physical health, other pressures at school, home or with the police
  • and availability of good support from parents, friends, carers and professionals.

But there are a number of situations or events, which are associated with a greater risk of suicide. The situations and events listed do not cause suicide but may cause someone to feel vulnerable and to consider suicide as a way of ending their distress 

Situations
Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders and certain personality disorders.
Alcohol and other substance use disorders
Conflict over sexual identity and other sexual issues
Hopelessness
Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
History of trauma or abuse
Previous suicide attempt
Access to highly lethal means of suicide
Family history of suicide
Patterns of poor communication with others, especially family or friends

Events
Loss of close person through death, divorce or moving
Recent suicide of friend or relative
Break up with partner
Job or financial loss
Considering themselves to have failed academically or with work
Being in trouble with authorities at school, work or police
Change in school or residence, particularly if enforced against wishes
Sudden disability or serious illness
Feared pregnancy
Change in ability to gain approval or acceptance from important others

Other
Lack of social support and sense of isolation
Stigma associated with help seeking behaviour
Barriers to accessing care
Certain cultural and religious beliefs e.g. that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
Exposure to suicide (media, influence of others who have died of suicide)

Warning signs

Some of the changes or behaviours that may indicate a personal crisis for someone are:

  • sudden changes in their usual pattern of relating to others
  • withdrawing from family and friends or not wanting to be left alone
  • not wanting to be touched
  • loss of interest in usual activities
  • loss of humour, or unusual change to acting the clown.
  • marked personal changes:
  • decline in school or other work, disinterest in studies or future
  • apathy about dress or appearance and self neglect
  • changes that suggest depression or other mental health problems, e.g. lack of concentration, changes in sleep pattern, delusions or hallucinations
  • sudden happiness after lengthy period of depression
  • making final arrangements, such as making a will, giving away prized possessions or organising own funeral
  • self harm and suicide attempts
  • marked weight increase or decrease
  • increased use of alcohol or drugs
  • self mutilation such as cigarette burns or cutting oneself.

Having made previous suicide attempt(s) is one of the most important and reliable indicators of risk.

Verbal expressions direct or indirect:
“I wish I were dead”
“You won’t have to bother with me any more”
“I think dead people must be happier than when they were alive”
“I’d like to go to sleep and never wake up”.