Risk Factors for Suicide

I was just reading this article in the Naperville Sun, “Naperville Parents Question D203 School Board Following Student Suicide.” The article lays out some of the aftermath of a recent suicide, including some conversations about the role school staff played in the student’s death. I know very little of the situation, but have had plenty of exposure to schools, students, and communities as they struggle to understand what happened surrounding such a disaster.

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among adolescents. Here is a quick list of some risk factors that you can to be aware of:

• Substance Abuse
• Severe family issues
• Mental Health Issues: e.g. Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder or Anxiety Disorder
• Recent Loss, e.g. break up with a significant other, move or change of school
• Impulsive or Risky Behaviors
• Self-Injury
• Struggling with issues about sexual orientation
• Recent suicide of another adolescent in the area

If you or an adolescent you know already has some of these risk factors present in their lives, know that it may be helpful to be extra vigilant. Certainly these risk factors do not mean a student will attempt suicide, but it DOES mean that his or her mental wellness is critical for them to have the strength and the tools that they need to navigate the issues in their lives.