Suicide & Self Harm

Suicide is death caused by injuring yourself, with the intent to die. A suicide attempt is when a person harms themselves with any intent to die, but do not as a result of their actions. Avoid using terms such as "committing suicide", "failed/successful suicide"when referring to suicide and suicide attempts, as these phrases often hold negative interpretations.

Suicide is death caused by injuring yourself, with the intent to die. A suicide attempt is when a person harms themselves with any intent to die, but do not as a result of their actions. Avoid using terms such as "committing suicide", "failed/successful suicide"when referring to suicide and suicide attempts, as these phrases often hold negative interpretations.

Who is at Risk for Suicide?

People of all genders, ages, and ethnicities can be at risk for suicide.

The main risk factors for suicide are:

Suicide attempt history
Mental health/substance use disorders
Family history of mental heath/substance use disorders
Family history of suicide
Chronic pain
Exposure to family violence (including physical/sexual abuse)
Presence of firearms in home
Recent release from jail or prison
Exposure (directly or indirectly) to others' suicidal behavior

Most individuals that are at risk for suicide will not attempt suicide, and it is hard to know who will actually act on suicidal thoughts. Risk factors are important things to keep in mind, but someone showing the warning signs of suicide may be at higher risk for danger and require immediate attention.

When stressful life occurrences happen (ex. financial instability, loss of a loved one or legal troubles) or internal stressors (ex. relationship issues, bullying, discrimination or harassment) may play a part in suicide risk, even more so when they occur along with suicide risk factors.

Suicide Warning Signs:

Signs that someone may be at immediate risk for suicide and/or suicide attempts include:

Talking about thoughts of death or self harm.
Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves.
Talking about feeling hopeless, useless or empty.
Feeling that there are no solutions to their problems.
Feeling unbearable emotional or physical pain.
Feeling like you're a burden to others.
Withdrawing from family and friends.
Taking great risks that can potentially be life-threatening.

Other serious warning signs that someone may be at immediate risk for suicide and/or suicide attempts include:

Displaying extreme mood swings.
Making a plan or ways to kill themselves, such as through online searches, stocking up on pills, or going as far as buying a gun.
Feeling great guilt or shame.
Substance use and abuse.
Anxious or agitated.
Frequent changes in eating or sleeping habits.

What Treatment Options/Help is Available?

Evidence-based interventions are available to help those that are at risk for suicide:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): a type of psychotherapy that can help people learn new ways of dealing with stressful situations. CBT helps people learn how to recognize their own thought patterns and consider alternates ways to respond to situations when thoughts of suicide arise.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): a type of psychotherapy that has been shown to reduce the occurrences of suicidal behaviors in young adults DBT has been used to help an individual recognize when their feelings are disruptive or unhealthy and teaches that individual how to cop more effectively in upsetting situations.
Grief Intervention Strategies: creating a safety or crisis response plan (with specific instructions for what to do and how to get the resources needed when having thoughts about suicide)
Collaborative Care: a team-based approach to mental health support. Where a behavioral health care worker will work with the person, their health provider, and mental health specialists to develop a treatment plan.