Not one risk factor alone can predict that a person will be suicidal; however, a person who exhibits several of the risk factors may be at increased risk for suicide.  The most prominent risk factors include:

Biopsychosocial Risk Factors
• Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, 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        ...Continued...