Risk Factors

What are Risk Factors?

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, risk factors are characteristics or conditions that increase the chance that a person may try to take their life.

Risk factors may fall into different categories. Some risk factors for suicide include: 

Health

• Mental health conditions
• Depression
• Substance use 
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Personality traits of aggression, mood changes and poor relationships
• Conduct disorder
• Anxiety disorders
• Serious physical health conditions including pain
• Traumatic brain injury

Environmental

• Access to lethal means including firearms and drugs
• Prolonged stress, such as harassment, bullying, relationship problems or unemployment
• Stressful life events, like rejection, a relationship breakup , financial stress, other life transitions or loss
• Exposure to another person’s suicide​

Individual History

• Previous suicide attempts
• Family history of suicide
• Childhood abuse, neglect or trauma

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please contact the Clackamas County Mental Health Crisis and Support Line at 503-655-8585 or in case of emergency call 911.