Risk Factors Specific to College Students
- Depressive disorders (Psych disorders accompany 90% of completed suicides)
- New environment
- Loss of a social network
- Loss of the safety net found at home
- Pressure academically or socially
- Isolation and alienation
- Lack of coping skills
- Difficulty adjusting to new demands of college life
- Decreased academic performance and subsequent feelings of failure
- Experimentation with drugs and alcohol (50% of the people who completed suicide have alcohol in their blood at the time of death)
Other risk factors:
Individual Characteristics
- Hopelessness
- Loneliness
- Social alienation and isolation, lack of belonging
- Anger, hostility
- Risky behavior, impulsiveness
- Low stress and frustration tolerance
- Poor problem-solving or coping skills
- Perception of being a burden (e.g., to family and friends)
Adverse/Stressful Life Circumstances
- Interpersonal difficulties or losses (e.g., relationship breakup, dating violence)
- School or work problems
- Financial problems
- Physical, sexual, and/or psychological abuse (current and/or previous)
- Chronic physical illness or disability
- Insomnia and nightmares
Family Characteristics
- Family history of suicide or suicidal behavior
- Parental mental health problems
- Family violence or abuse (current and/or previous)
- Family instability and/or loss
- Lack of parental support
School and Community Factors
- Limited access to effective care for health, mental health, or substance abuse disorders
- Stigma associated with seeking care
- Negative social and emotional environment, including negative attitudes, beliefs, feelings, and interactions of staff and students
- Exposure to stigma and discrimination against students based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race and ethnicity, disability, or physical characteristics (such as being overweight)
- Access to lethal means
- Exposure to media normalizing or glamorizing suicide
Behavioral Health Issues/Injuries ***********
- Depressive disorders
- Substance abuse or dependence (alcohol and other drugs)
- Delinquency/Conduct disorders
- Other disorders (e.g., anxiety disorders, eating disorders)
- Previous suicide attempts
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (e.g., concussions)
- Self-injury (without intent to die)
Examples of Self-injuries
Cutting
Biting
Burning
Carving
