Suicide can affect anyone, but some factors may indicate higher risks of completing suicide. These are:

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• Prior attempts - a history of attempts is the highest predictor of future completed suicide.

• Family history.

• Childhood trauma (physical or sexual abuse, neglect).

• Mental health conditions: depression, bipolar, conduct and anxiety disorders, anhedonia, substance use, and schizophrenia.

• Personality traits: aggression, tendency to isolate, high impulsivity, and mood swings.

• Physical conditions, such as a terminal or chronic illness, disability, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), or chronic pain.

• Access to lethal methods (drugs, firearms, sharp objects, etc.).

• Contact with suicide (particularly teens).

• Feelings of hopelessness.

• Acute and prolonged stress (relationship problems, loss, financial hardship, unemployment, etc.)

• Gender - although females attempt suicide two to three times more often than males, men die at higher rates due to the lethality of the methods they use.

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