Q: Are there any Risk Factors for Suicide?
A: Risk factors for suicide include, recent profound losses, such as death of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job or income, serious, debilitating injury or illness, alcohol or drug abuse, feelings of helplessness or hopelessness. Any and all of these things happen to most people at some point in their lives, but the reason some commit suicide and some don’t depends on the person’s belief system, religious or cultural values, or the availability of close, supportive relationships. For example, if a child is being bullied and believes what the bully is saying about him, he is less likely to tell someone who can change the faulty thinking (belief system) and offer hopeful solutions that the child may not have considered. Suicide results from the conviction that there is no way out. Loved ones, schools and society at large have to do a better job of listening, and acting, to avoid to preventanother tragedy.
