Understanding common suicide risk factors is an important part of working with many clients. Mental health diagnoses including anorexia, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and substance use disorder increase the risk of suicidal behavior.

The Suicide Risk Factors handout includes symptoms and other factors that correlate with suicide risk. Be advised that this list is not exhaustive, and additional factors and combinations of factors may also increase risk.

Frequent assessment is an important part of working with clients with heightened risk of suicide. Please see our Suicide Risk Assessment.

Although it is impossible to predict suicide with perfect accuracy, you can work with your client to reduce or manage risk factors.