Suicide Prevention – Risk and Protective Factors

Suicide Prevention - Risk and Protective Factors

Kyrie Hemingson

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Content Warning

This blog post is focused on a heavy topic. If at any point you are feeling overwhelmed, please take a break and when you’re ready, you can return.

What is Suicidal Ideation?

First, suicide is defined as the act of intentionally ending one’s life.

Suicidal ideation, often called suicidal thoughts, are thoughts someone may be having about killing themselves. These thoughts can range from brief, fleeting ideas to having a detailed plan including a planned means and timeframe. It’s vital to take suicidal ideation seriously and to seek help from mental health professionals or support networks if you, or someone you know, are experiencing these thoughts.

It’s also important to note that most people who are contemplating killing themselves do not necessarily want to die, they want the pain they are experiencing to end.

What Are Risk and Protective Factors?

Risk factors include anything that may increase the likelihood of a person experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Protective factors include anything that may decrease the likelihood of a person experiencing thoughts.

Risk and protective factors can be divided into three categories: individual, relational, and community.

Individual risk factors can be define as any personal experiences, characteristics, or behaviours that increase the likelihood of suicidal ideation whereas individual protective factors reduce this likelihood and often enhance resilience.

Relational risk factors are risk factors that stem from relationships with family, peers, or intimate partners that can negatively contribute to thoughts of suicide. Opposingly, relational protective factors are supportive relationships and social connections that can act as a buffer against risk factors and promote positive outcomes.

Finally, community risk factors are environmental or societal conditions that can increase the chances of a person experiencing suicidal thoughts. Community protective factors are aspects of a community that promote safety, well-being, and perseverance.

Below are some common risk and protective factors for suicidal ideation.

Individual Risk Factors

  • Trauma – defined as any emotional response to a distressing event such as acts of violence, natural disasters, and other accidents. Trauma can come from directly experiencing an event leading to a lasting emotional response, but also witnessing an event, or learning about a traumatic event that occurred to a family member or friend.
  • Triggering Events – this is anything that reminds a person of a traumatic event they’ve experienced.
  • Sudden Life Changes – a broad category covering any form of loss – from personal loss such as the death of a family member, to financial loss, to physical forms of loss such as moving.
  • Medical Health – including past and current medical health concerns and diagnosis as well as chronic pain or physical illness. In elders, this can be an especially big risk factor as their physical body changes in age.
  • Mental Health – including any past and present mental health concerns and diagnoses.
  • Substance Use – including any change in pattern of use, as well as current and past use.
  • Past Suicidal Behaviour – including having past thoughts of suicide, as well as suicide attempts.
  • Feelings of being trapped, hopeless, worthless, etc.

Relational Risk Factors

  • History With Suicide – this includes past suicidal behaviour for an individual as mentioned in individual risk factors but also if a person has friends or family who have tried to, or have died by suicide.
  • Relationship Conflict or Strain – such as stress between partners, family members, close friends, or even coworkers.
  • Loss of Significant Relationships – such as through death or things like divorce, separation, or a break up.
  • Domestic Violence or Abuse – especially if leading to feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or despair.
  • Bullying – includes any form of aggressive behaviour that causes a person injury or discomfort, this is an especially big risk factor in youth.

Community Risk Factors

  • Actual Social Isolation – this is a situation where a person truly is socially isolated from others.
  • Perceived Social Isolation – this is a situation where a person may not objectively be isolated, but they feel as though they are so it effects them in a negative way.
  • Historical Trauma – including any form of generational trauma that has been passed down such as colonialism, forced assimilation, genocide, systemic racism, and more.
  • Discrimination – including overt or covert prejudice, sexism, homophobia, etc. as well as internalized feelings of worthless due to these things.
  • Stigma – greatly reduces help-seeking behaviour and can lead to isolation.

Individual Protective Factors

  • Having healthy coping strategies and Strong Problem-Solving Skills – this aids in a person’s ability to manage stress and regulate emotions, reducing helplessness and impulsive behaviour.
  • Regularly practicing self-care – having a prevention mindset in place, practicing self-care leads to more resilience and helps foster a sense of rest, helping us bounce back when life throws curveballs our way.
  • Maintaining positive self-esteem and confidence – this will better enable a person to navigate stressors as they have a strong foundation to rely on.
  • Having reasons for living – this includes things like having a sense of purpose such as goals, passions, a sense of fulfillment.
  • Having a Sense of Responsibility to Others – feeling needed by children, family, friends, pets, or others can act as a deterrent to suicide.
  • Developing and maintaining healthy habits – the mind and body are interconnected so in nurturing the body through eating healthy foods, regularly exercising, and maintaining good sleep hygiene, your mental health is better able to flourish too.
  • Having a Stable Living Environment and Emotional Safety – consistency, safety, and predictability at home reduce anxiety and aid people in emotional regulation.
  • Having Hopes for the Future

Relational Protective Factors

  • Strong Social Support Networks – whether through family relationships or with friends or coworkers, having a strong sense of support and feeling valued in close relationships can help act as a deterent for thoughts of suicide.
  • Healthy Close Relationships – nurturing relationships built on trust, empathy, and open communication can provide emotional stability and reassurance during times of distress.
  • A Sense of Connection With Others – feeling connected to a community or shared group (such as a club, team, workplace, or faith group) can reduce feelings of loneliness and remind individuals that they are not alone in their struggles.
  • Having a Protective Peer Influence – surrounding oneself with peers who promote healthy coping strategies and encourage seeking help can make a significant difference. Positive peer influence can also be tied to reduced stigma around mental health and increases willingness to talk about difficult emotions as well.
  • Being Able to Communicate Effectively Within Relationships – the ability to express emotions honestly and be heard without judgment can be a huge protective factor as it can make it easier for individuals to ask for help when they need it.
  • Willingness of Loved Ones to Intervene – having loved ones looking out for a person can greatly increase the likelihood that they will receive the help they need. If you are a loved one wanting to learn more about suicide, consider checking out the additional resources below as well as checking out our blog post How To Ask If Someone Is Having Thoughts Of Suicide

Community Protective Factors

  • Feeling Connected to School, Community, and Other Social Institutions – being part of something bigger can provide purpose and a sense of belonging.
  • Safe and Inclusive School or Work Environments – with safety including a sense of emotional and physical safety.
  • Supportive Community Leaders and Role Models – having visible leaders who promote hope and resilience can inspire others to seek help.
  • Having and Practicing Cultural and Spiritual Beliefs if Available – spiritual and cultural practices can offer comfort, identity, and strength in difficult times.
  • Low Levels of Community Violence and Crime – safe communities can reduce stress and support a stronger sense of security and stability.
  • Having Access to Adequate Resources – including culturally appropriate resources, as well as mental health and crisis services

Additional Resources

Crisis Lines & Other Emergency Services

  • Call or text 988 – Suicide Crisis Hotline
  • Call Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868 or text “connect” to 686868)
  • Call the 1-855-242-3310 – the Hope for Wellness Helpline, or chat online at hopeforwellness.ca
  • Call 911 or get to the nearest emergency room if needed

Free Courses

Courses For Purchase

Indigenous Perspectives – Videos

Indigenous Perspectives – Websites

Blog post adapted from the McKinney Psychology presentation: Suicide Prevention and Intervention – How To Ask If Someone Is Having Thoughts of Suicide as part of our Risk Assessment Series. For more information, please contact our office.