Risk Factors and Warning Signs for Suicide
Suicide Risk Factors:
- Chronic illness or chronic pain
- Social stressors, like unemployment or financial loss, that lead to a sense of worthlessness
- Risky use of substances
- Lack of social support
- The death of a loved one
- A previous suicide attempt
- A family history of suicide or psychiatric illness
Suicide Warning Signs:
- An agitated, irritable, or depressed affect
- Dramatic changes in mood during your conversation
- Purposelessness or hopelessness
- Rage or uncontrolled anger
- Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or hypersomnia
- Withdrawal from friends, family, and society
- Loss of interest in normal activities
- Feeling that the world would be better off without them