Protective Factors

Section Summary 

This section discusses factors that help prevent suicide. Topics include: 

• What are protective factors and how do they relate to suicide?
• What things are considered protective factors?
• The different levels of protective factors

What are Protective Factors?

The following information comes from the Mental Health First Aid curriculum and  The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 

Protective factors are individuals, environments, or conditions that are associated with a lower likelihood of negative outcomes, such as suicide. Protective factors  minimize the risk of mental health or substance use challenges.

Examples of protective factors that prevent suicide could include: 

• Access to mental health care, and being proactive about mental health
• Feeling connected to family, chosen family, natural supports and community support
• Problem-solving and coping skills
• Limited access to lethal means (things like medications or guns)
• Cultural and religious beliefs that encourage connecting and help-seeking, discourage suicidal behavior, or create a strong sense of purpose or self-esteem.

An individual's overall health and well-being are influenced by many factors. The diagram above, called the Social Ecological Model, helps us visualize the many levels that may have an impact on our individual behavior, health, and well-being. To better prevent individuals from dying from suicide, it's important to include protective factors in each of these levels. This is called multi-level protection. Examples of protective factors at each level could include: 

• Policy - Dedicated state budget to fund suicide prevention efforts
• Community - Increased access to local mental health providers 
• Institutional - Required suicide prevention trainings for school staff 
• Interpersonal - Support from family and friends 
• Individual - Effective coping and problem-solving skills 

To learn more about this model, click here.