Precipitating Factors and Warning Signs for Suicide
When someone is considering suicide, what might they say or do?
Precipitating Factors
Precipitating factors are stressful events that can trigger a suicidal crisis. Precipitating factors are big, life-changing, and potentially dangerous. These factors are most salient when the person is already in a vulnerable state, such as already having a number of risk factors. Some examples of precipitating factors might be:
A relationship loss, such as a divorce or separation, particularly if it was unexpected
A death of family member, best friend, or valued mentor
Serious financial problems, such as the need to declare bankruptcy
Losing a job, particularly when a person has put their heart and soul into the job
Legal problems, such as a lawsuit or arrest
A serious health diagnosis, that leads a person to think that they will be a burden to their family
Prolonged insomnia can be a precipitating factor, particularly when it produces depression, anxiety, or dissociative states
When a person loses their meaning in life
Feelings of victimization, bullying, or failure
The suicide of a friend or acquaintance
These are just a few examples of precipitating factors. A precipitating factor can be any event that throws a vulnerable person into a tumultuous, chaotic time.
Warning Signs
Warning signs are behaviors that indicate that someone may be at immediate risk for suicide. These signs typically need immediate crisis intervention.
Not everyone will exhibit warning signs. or precipitating factors. Not everyone will have observable risk factors—in fact, only 50% to 75% give a friend or relative some kind of indication that they are considering taking their life. Some individuals will give no warnings at all before they take their life.
Some examples of warning signs might be:
If a person talks about suicide or searches online for methods.
Calling or sending messages to friends and family to say goodbye.
Sudden increased use of drugs or alcohol.
Talking about being a burden to others, or how others would be “better off without me.”
Acquiring a gun when the individual is not planning a hunting trip or planning self-defense measures.
Self-harming behavior, such as cutting, reckless driving, or unsafe sex.
Withdrawing from family or friends.
Withdrawing from activities they once enjoyed.
Unusual behavior, such as uncharacteristic mood swings, acts of rage or aggression, unusual fatigue, giving away prized possessions, or giving away computer passwords.
Deeply heavy moods such as humiliation, shame, anger, irritability, anxiety, or depression.
Severe confusion, disorganization, or hallucinations.
What You Can Do
If you are worried that an individual is thinking about suicide, ask them if they are considering it.
If possible, keep them safe, by reducing access to lethal means.
Listen to them and be there for them.
Help them connect with ongoing support.
Offer to go with them to the hospital.
Stay connected with them and follow-up with them.
Contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 1-800-273-8255 or chat online at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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