What research tells us about suicide

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a wellspring of information about suicide and resources for prevention.

Understanding suicide and its root causes are key to prevention efforts.

Here are 10 things learned from research into suicide as compiled by AFSP:

10 THINGS LEARNED FROM RESEARCH

1. Suicide is related to brain functions that affect decision-making and behavioral control, making it difficult for people to find positive solutions
2. Limiting a person’s access to methods of killing themselves dramatically decreases suicide rates in communities
3. Ninety percent of people who die by suicide have an underlying — and potentially treatable — mental health condition
4. Depression, bipolar disorder, and substance use are strongly linked to suicidal thinking and behavior
5. Specific treatments used by mental health professionals — such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy-SP and Dialectical Behavior Therapy — have been proven to help people manage their suicidal ideation and behavior
6. No one takes their life for a single reason. Life stresses combined with known risk factors, such as childhood trauma, substance use — or even chronic physical pain — can contribute to someone taking their life
7. Asking someone directly if they’re thinking about suicide won’t “put the idea in their head” — most will be relieved someone starts a conversation
8. Certain medications used to treat depression or stabilize mood have been proven to help people reduce suicidal thoughts and behavior
9. If someone can get through the intense, and short, moment of active suicidal crisis, chances are they will not die by suicide
10. Most people who survive a suicide attempt (85 to 95 percent) go on to engage in life

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