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Stresses Increasing The Risk Of Suicide

There are many factors behind a death by suicide, any of which could prove to be the tipping point. Deaths due to suicide occur due to a complex interaction between many factors such as employment, housing, social support and family, any and all of which may serve as both risk and protective factors

Clinically reviewed
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    • There are many factors behind a death by suicide, any of which could prove to be the tipping point. Deaths due to suicide occur due to a complex interaction between many factors such as employment, housing, social support and family, any and all of which may serve as both risk and protective factors and any or all of which could result in depression.

    From the Victorian Coroner’s reports of 2017, 63% of people who died by suicide were suffering from many of these forces at work. The five major risk factors where death by suicide was involved were:

     

    46% had been suffering relationship problems

    24% had previously demonstrated  self-harming behaviour

    8% were facing legal problems

    7% were encountering work related problems

    7% had suffered financial setbacks 

     

    In almost all stages of life, relationship problems and previous self-harming behaviour played a prominent role in the mental state of those studied. For those of a working age, work related problems and financial setbacks were of increasing concern with health issues became increasingly disturbing for those aged over 65. 

    The role of family and friends is both difficult and important. It is important to try and help the sufferer learn to be in control of their behaviour. The most important role is to understand the suffering that goes on under the seemingly healthy surface.  You cannot give answers, but a vital aid to recovery is to express understanding and sympathy, while reminding the depressed person that they will recover, despite their own pessimism and fears.

    A good relationship, in which you can talk openly about anything and everything is THE MOST IMPORTANT PROTECTION AGAINST DEVELOPING DEPRESSION at times of stress.  On the other hand, difficulties in a relationship is one of the most common causes of depression. Untreated depressive illness does not necessarily relentlessly move towards eventual recovery, but may cause the opposite to happen.

    If you are worried about someone close to you being suicidal, we provide suggested things to say or text on www.intoughtimestext.com.au (www.ittt.com.au)

    Clinically reviewed. This article was written and reviewed by the clinical team at the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation.

    Important: This information is general guidance and does not replace professional medical advice. If you are in crisis, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 000 for immediate danger.