But more than half of all people who die by suicide don’t have a known mental illness at the time of their death. There also may be a genetic link to suicide. People who complete suicide or who have suicidal thoughts or behavior are more likely to have a family history of suicide. Risk factors Frequently asked questions about suicide. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-faq. Accessed April 14, 2023.

previous suicide attempts, or previous self-harm. Many people who self-harm don’t want to die. However, research shows that people who self-harm are at higher risk of attempting or dying by suicide Have a medical condition that can be linked to depression and suicidal thinking, such as chronic disease, chronic pain or terminal illness The lifeline and 988. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/. Accessed April 14, 2023. Countless people, at some time in their life, have had passing thoughts of suicide, and most people feel hopeless or worthless at least occasionally. But since most people do not attempt suicide, it can be difficult to know when those thoughts are indicative of real risk or when they’re normal moments of very low mood that will pass.Female 3: But you know your kid better than anybody else and if you think he's acting different than usual,

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) offers a basic primer on the benefits of talking about suicide. Talk Saves Lives organizes brief presentations in communities across the nation to help people recognize the warning signs of suicide and learn how it can be prevented. Reporting on Suicide: The Contagion Effect Exposure to another person’s suicide, such as the suicide of a classmate, or to sensationalized reports of suicide After an attempt. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. https://afsp.org/find-support/ive-made-attempt/after-an-attempt/. Accessed Feb. 20, 2018. Suicide prevention efforts require coordination and collaboration among multiple sectors of society, including the health sector and other sectors such as education, labour, agriculture, business, justice, law, defence, politics, and the media. These efforts must be comprehensive and integrated as no single approach alone can make an impact on an issue as complex as suicide. Challenges and obstacles Stigma and taboo

Notice to users

May 27, 2011 was the worst day of my life. I lost one of my favorite people on this planet to suicide. This week, sadly, my world was yet again touched by this tragedy, and I feel compelled to write these letters. Reach Out. Give someone a chance to help even when you are falling down, down, down. Your whole life will turn around. Reach out to somebody. Give your hand to somebody. Life is in the palm of their hands. Suicidal intentions aren’t always obvious to the untrained eye, especially among those who endeavor to keep them hidden. However, there are many outward signals that someone is thinking of suicide, and becoming familiar with common signs, especially subtler ones, can help someone identify a loved one who may be at risk.

Reach Out. Give someone a chance to help even when you are falling down, down, down. Your whole life will turn around. Reach out to somebody. Give your hand to somebody. Life is in the palm of their hands. Reach out to them. Reach out to them. Reach out to them. They will want to know when symptoms started and how often the person experiences them. They’ll also ask about any past or current medical problems and about certain conditions that may run in the family.

Overview

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Reidenberg says media outlets tend to rely on stereotypes and clichés when reporting on suicide, but he cautions that suicide is never because of a breakup or a bad grade in school. Multiple factors figure into the decision for someone to take their own life. Reports that gloss over this nuance make it seem like a single bad event is enough to lead to suicide.