Suicide Prevention
Scientific Information: Risk and Protective Factors
Suicide Navigation
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- Definitions
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- Consequences
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- Translation
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Risk Factors for
Suicide
A combination of individual, relational, community, and societal
factors contribute to the risk of suicide. Risk factors are those
characteristics associated with suicide—they may or may not be
direct causes.
Risk Factors
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Family history of suicide
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Family history of child maltreatment
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Previous suicide attempt(s)
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History of mental disorders, particularly depression
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History of alcohol and substance abuse
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Feelings of hopelessness
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Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
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Cultural and religious beliefs (e.g., belief that suicide is noble resolution of a personal dilemma)
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Local epidemics of suicide
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Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people
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Barriers to accessing mental health treatment
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Loss (relational, social, work, or financial)
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Physical illness
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Easy access to lethal methods
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Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health and substance abuse disorders or to suicidal thoughts
Protective Factors for Suicide
Protective factors buffer
individuals from suicidal thoughts and behavior. To date, protective factors
have not been studied as extensively or rigorously as risk factors.
Identifying and understanding protective factors are, however, equally as
important as researching risk factors.
Protective Factors
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Effective clinical care for mental, physical, and substance abuse disorders
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Easy access to a variety of clinical interventions and support for help seeking
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Family and community support
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Support from ongoing medical and mental health care relationships
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Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent way of handling disputes
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Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support instincts for self-preservation
(US Public Health Service 1999)
Additional Resources
DeLeo D, Bertolote J., Lester, D. Self-directed violence. Chapter 7.
In: Krug EG., Dahlberg LL., Mercy JA., Zwi A., Lozano R., eds.. World report
on violence and health. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2002. Available
at
http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/global_campaign/en/chap7.pdf.
*
Goldsmith SK, Pellmar TC, Kleinman AM, Bunney WE, eds. Reducing suicide: a
national imperative. Washington DC: National Academy Press; 20027. Available
at
http://www.nap.edu/books/0309083214/html/. *
US Public Health Service. The surgeon general’s call to action to prevent
suicide. Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services; 1999.
Available at
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calltoaction/default.htm. *
* Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Page last modified: July 17, 2008