Suicide
Most people who choose to end their lives do so for complex reasons. Research has shown that in the UK many people who die by suicide have a mental illness, most commonly depression or an alcohol problem.
In many cases, suicide is also linked to feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness.
Vulnerability to suicide
Many experts believe a number of things determine how vulnerable a person is to suicidal thinking and behaviour. These include:
• life history - for example having a traumatic experience during childhood, a history of sexual or physical abuse or a history of parental neglect
• mental health - for example developing a serious mental health condition, such as schizophrenia (see below)
• lifestyle - for example if you misuse drugs ormisuse alcohol
• employment - such as poor job security, low levels of job satisfaction or being unemployed
• relationships - being socially isolated, being a victim of bullying or having few close relationships
• genetics and family history (see below)
In addition to these, a stressful event may push a person 'over the edge', leading to suicidal thinking and behaviour.
It may only take a minor event, such as having an argument with a partner. Or it may take one or more stressful or upsetting events before a person feels suicidal, such as the break-up of a significant relationship, a partner dying or being diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Mental health conditions
It is estimated that 90% of people who attempt or die by suicide have one or more mental health conditions. Conditions that lead to the biggest risk of suicide are described below.
Severe depression
Severe depression causes symptoms of low mood, tiredness, loss of interest, despair and hopelessness that interfere with a person's life. People with severe depression are much more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder causes a person's mood to swing from feeling very high and happy to feeling very low
In many cases, suicide is also linked to feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness.
Vulnerability to suicide
Many experts believe a number of things determine how vulnerable a person is to suicidal thinking and behaviour. These include:
• life history - for example having a traumatic experience during childhood, a history of sexual or physical abuse or a history of parental neglect
• mental health - for example developing a serious mental health condition, such as schizophrenia (see below)
• lifestyle - for example if you misuse drugs ormisuse alcohol
• employment - such as poor job security, low levels of job satisfaction or being unemployed
• relationships - being socially isolated, being a victim of bullying or having few close relationships
• genetics and family history (see below)
In addition to these, a stressful event may push a person 'over the edge', leading to suicidal thinking and behaviour.
It may only take a minor event, such as having an argument with a partner. Or it may take one or more stressful or upsetting events before a person feels suicidal, such as the break-up of a significant relationship, a partner dying or being diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Mental health conditions
It is estimated that 90% of people who attempt or die by suicide have one or more mental health conditions. Conditions that lead to the biggest risk of suicide are described below.
Severe depression
Severe depression causes symptoms of low mood, tiredness, loss of interest, despair and hopelessness that interfere with a person's life. People with severe depression are much more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder causes a person's mood to swing from feeling very high and happy to feeling very low