If you are thinking about suicide, seek help immediately. Call +234 806 900 8876, a crisis line, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Many factors contribute to suicide risk
Suicide is rarely caused by a single circumstance or event. Instead, a range of factors — at the individual, relationship, community, and societal levels — can increase risk. These risk factors are situations or problems that can increase the possibility that a person will attempt suicide.
Individual risk factors
- Previous suicide attempt
- History of depression and other mental illnesses
- Serious illness such as chronic pain
- Criminal or legal problems
- Job or financial problems or loss
- Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
- Substance use
- Current or prior history of adverse childhood experiences
- Sense of hopelessness
- Violence victimisation and/or perpetration
Relationship risk factors
- Bullying
- Family or loved one's history of suicide
- Loss of relationships
- High-conflict or violent relationships
- Social isolation
Community risk factors
- Lack of access to healthcare
- Suicide cluster in the community
- Stress of acculturation
- Community violence
- Historical trauma
- Discrimination
Societal risk factors
- Stigma associated with help-seeking and mental illness
- Easy access to lethal means of suicide among people at risk
- Unsafe media portrayals of suicide
Many factors protect against suicide risk
Many factors can reduce risk for suicide. Similar to risk factors, a range of factors at the individual, relationship, community, and societal levels can protect people from suicide. Everyone can help prevent suicide. We can take action in communities and as a society to support people and help protect them from suicidal thoughts and behavior.
Individual protective factors
- Effective coping and problem-solving skills
- Reasons for living (for example, family, friends, and pets)
- Strong sense of cultural identity
Relationship protective factors
- Support from partners, friends, and family
- Feeling connected to others
Community protective factors
- Feeling connected to school, community, and other social institutions
- Availability of consistent and high-quality physical and behavioral healthcare
Societal protective factors
- Reduced access to lethal means of suicide among people at risk
- Cultural, religious, or moral objections to suicide
Suicide is connected to other forms of injury and violence. For example, people who have experienced violence, including child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence, have a higher suicide risk.
Warning signs
If someone is at risk for suicide, you can watch for warning signs, including:
- Talking about being a burden
- Being isolated
- Increased anxiety
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Increased substance use
- Looking for a way to access lethal means
- Increased anger or rage
- Extreme mood swings
- Expressing hopelessness
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Talking or posting about wanting to die
- Making plans for suicide