ABSTRACT
Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that individuals will consider, attempt or die by suicide. Protective factors are characteristics that make it less likely that individuals will consider, attempt or die by suicide. In a review of suicidal behaviour in patients with bipolar disorder, Hawton et al found the main risk factors for suicide were previous suicide attempt and hopelessness, which differed from risk factors for non-fatal suicidal behaviour. Consistent with other research and many hypotheses and theories about suicide, the authors conclude that accurate prediction of suicidal thoughts and behaviours requires complex combination of large number of factors, many of which vary over time. Increasing age is generally associated with increasing risk for suicide. This relationship seems to persist even when there is no accompanying mental illness. Frey et al found disclosing suicide attempt to one’s family, regardless of whether one receives supportive responses as well as social support from family and friends.
