What Are The Risk Factors Of Suicide?

Why do we never talk about suicide risk factors? Why is this topic a taboo? In order to solve a problem, we must first of all be well informed about it. If you don’t fully understand a problem, it’s impossible to come up with an effective solution.

It is therefore important to talk about suicide. And part of this discussion should also include suicide risk factors, both individual and environmental factors. However, it is also important to talk about the different methods that can help to prevent suicide.

An open discussion makes it easier to understand this problem and let people know what can be done about it.

Suicide: one of the most serious social problems

According to the World Health Organization, suicide is one of the top 15 causes of death worldwide and is the leading cause of violent deaths. Since 2008, the number of suicides in the Netherlands has also steadily increased.

In 2017, 1917 people took their own lives. You could also say that this has become a very serious problem. More than one million people worldwide commit suicide every year. In addition, it is estimated that these figures will only increase in the coming years.

The suicide rate has significant implications for the population as a whole. The psychological and social consequences of suicide directly affect those closest to the victim. The death of a loved one can affect friends and family emotionally, socially and economically.

This is why it is becoming increasingly important to study and identify the risk factors of suicide. Once we have identified and understand these risk factors, prevention and intervention programs can be implemented.

The need for prevention is especially important when you consider that suicide is one of the three leading causes of death among adolescents between the ages of 15 and 24.

What are the risk factors of suicide?

To know which prevention methods could be effective, we first need to know the risk factors of suicide. Identifying the risk factors can help us understand the problem and intervene in time. However, we cannot rely solely on these risk factors.

There are many more important things to consider, such as the personality of the potential victim, what stage of life he is in, and any stressful events that have occurred in his life that could trigger suicidal behavior.

Mental illness is one of the most important and common risk factors for suicide. Special attention has therefore been paid in the past to studying this risk factor. Several studies have been conducted over the years.

Some disorders that have been studied in conjunction with suicide include bipolar disorder, depression, and psychotic disorders (for example, schizophrenia). However, in addition to mental illness, there are other possible risk factors:

• Previous suicide attempts.
• A family history of suicidal behavior.
• A stressful life event, such as a divorce or financial problems.
• Inadequate or non-existent social and family support.

However, in addition to risk factors, there may also be certain protection factors . Protection factors are defined as factors that reduce the likelihood of suicide, even when multiple risk factors are present. These protection factors include:

• The ability to maintain social relationships.
• Self confidence.
• Having children.
• Good social or family support.

Good options to prevent suicide

Based on this information, we can conclude that suicide is dependent on more than a series of individual factors. As a result, a mental disorder alone does not have to lead to suicide. The environment also plays a major role.

At the same time, there can also be protection factors both on a personal level and in the environment. This is very beneficial. The more a person is protected from committing suicide, the less likely it is that he will actually commit suicide.

It is therefore a lot easier to prevent suicide in someone who has more protective factors.

All of the above can help bring the growing suicide rates back down. A good option to prevent suicide is therefore to develop prevention programs for people who, because of their situation, fit the profile of someone who is at risk.

These programs could also strengthen any protective factors or develop new ones.