Understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide. If you are in an emergency or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact emergency services on 000.

Factors that put someone at risk

Risk factors are conditions that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt or die by suicide. They cannot cause or predict a suicide attempt, but they are important to be aware of. Research has found that 46% of people who die by suicide have a known mental health condition. Several other things may put a person at risk of suicide, including:

Family /personal history

• Family history of suicide.
• History of trauma/ abuse.

Mental health / emotional factor

• Mental disorders, particularly depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and schizophrenia.
• Alcohol and other substance use disorders.
• Hopelessness.
• Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies.
• Loss of relationships.
• Prolonged stress.
• A recent tragedy or loss.

Environmental factor

• Local clusters of suicide
• Easy access to drugs
• Lack of social support and sense of isolation
• The stigma associated with asking for help
• Lack of healthcare, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment
• Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
• Media influence on suicide.

Physical factor 

• Major physical illness

Financial factor

• Job or financial loss

Know the warning signs

Understanding the warning signs may help you to determine if someone is at risk of suicide, especially if the behaviour is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss or change. 

Here are a few other warning signs of suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves.
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a knife.
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
• Talking about being a burden to others.
• Increased alcohol and drug use.
• Withdrawal from friends, family and community.
• Dramatic mood swings, i.e. anger, agitation or total withdrawal.
• Impulsive or reckless behaviour.
• Sleeping too little or too much.
• Talking about seeking revenge.
• Saying goodbye to friends and family.
• Giving away sentimental and expensive possessions.

Supporting someone with suicide ideation

When a suicide-related crisis occurs, friends and family are often caught off-guard, unprepared, and unsure what to do. The behaviours of a person experiencing a crisis can be unpredictable, changing dramatically without warning.

There are a few ways to approach a suicide crisis:

• Talk openly and honestly. Don’t be afraid to ask questions like: “Are you thinking about killing yourself? If yes, then what are the plans?”
• If possible, make your surroundings safer by removing means such as guns, knives or stockpiled pills.
• Encourage deep breathing exercises by providing guidance in breathing in, holding, and breathing out.
• Calmly ask simple and direct questions, like “Can I help you to call someone / your psychiatrist?”.
• Listen without judging the behaviours and actions.
• If there are multiple people around, have one person speak at a time.
• Express support and concern.
• Don’t argue, threaten or raise your voice.
• Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong.
• If you’re nervous, try not to fidget or pace.
• Be patient.
• Avoid leaving them alone. Have someone near them until their thoughts of suicide decrease.

Suicidal behaviours are a psychiatric emergency. If you or a loved have any of the warning signs mentioned above, seek immediate help from a health care provider. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 if you are in Australia or 0800 543 354 if you are in New Zealand. Help resources are available here - https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/mental-health-and-suicide-preve…  

If you want to learn more about suicide prevention, please contact one of the qualified counsellors from Benestar by calling 1300 360 364 (AU) 0800 360 364 (NZ) +61 2 8295 2292 (Intl). 

Written by Jess Yap, Benestar Psychologist.