Factors that make the consideration of suicide more likely. Suicide risk factors are traits, experience, or situations that make a person more likely to consider suicide. The more risk factors a person has, the more they are vulnerable to suicide ideation. It’s never a guarantee, and certainly some individuals have no visible risk factors and still take their life. However, for most people, the more risk factors, the more vulnerable. A risk factor does not tell us if the individual is thinking of suicide—only that they are more vulnerable. 

Giving people the settings and the skills that can prevent suicide. Protective factors are skills and community contexts that give individuals an advantage. The more protective factors, the less likely the person will experience hopelessness and suicide ideation. Protective factors are not guarantees, and they do not make a person invulnerable to suicide. However, for most people, protective factors lower the risk of suicide ideation. 

Which groups are especially at-risk for suicide? If you have a role in community mental health, it may be helpful to consider special interventions to these groups.

A laundry list of ideas to begin community suicide prevention efforts.

Announcements to use for your organization’s newsletters and communications.

When someone is considering suicide, what might they say or do?