Why do people become suicidal?

Understanding the complexity of suicidal thoughts

When someone you care about is experiencing suicidal thoughts, it can feel overwhelming and confusing. You might find yourself asking why they are feeling this way.

What can contribute to suicidal thoughts is often complex and personal. For some people, thoughts of suicide may develop after long-term struggles with mental health challenges. For others, these thoughts may emerge during difficult moments or crises.

It’s important to dispel a common myth that only people diagnosed with a mental illness are suicidal. While mental illness can be a risk factor for suicide, many people who experience suicidal thoughts do not have a mental illness. Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or mental health history.

In many cases, the person you’re concerned about is dealing with multiple stressful events or circumstances in their life. How they feel about their situation impacts their experience. What might feel manageable to one person could feel completely overwhelming for another, depending on their individual circumstances, available support systems, and coping resources.

The person you care about may feel overwhelmed by their current situation. They are likely experiencing what feels like unbearable emotional pain and may not see any other way to find relief. They might feel like a burden to those around them and can’t see a way forward from where they are now.

It’s important to know that suicidal thoughts are often temporary. Many people who experience these thoughts find that their emotional pain decreases over time, especially with appropriate support and treatment.

If you are concerned about someone and want to speak to a counsellor, call Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

If someone you know is in danger or you’re concerned for their safety, please call 000. Stay on the line, speak clearly, and be ready to answer the operator’s questions.

What contributes to suicidal thoughts

Research suggests that 1 in 6 Australians have experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours at some point in their lives.¹ In a lot of situations, several factors can contribute to someone having thoughts of ending their life, rather than one single cause.

Generally, the presence of multiple factors can increase someone’s vulnerability to suicidal thoughts. However, it’s important to remember that experiencing these factors doesn’t mean someone will have suicidal thoughts.

Mental health and psychological factors that may contribute include:

• Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or other diagnosed mental health conditions
• Substance use problems
• Past or current self-harming
• Previous suicide attempts
• Feeling disconnected, isolated, and deeply lonely
• Feeling like a failure or burden to others
• Difficulty finding solutions to problems or seeing a way forward
• Thinking patterns that focus on the negative or see situations as completely hopeless
• Viewing situations in extremes – either all good or all bad.

Life circumstances and experiences that may contribute include:

• Being abused or bullied
• Significant loss (such as a life partner, close friend, or family member)
• Major life stresses (relationship breakdown, legal or financial problems, homelessness)
• Chronic pain and chronic illness
• Unemployment or major work-related stress
• Recent major life changes
• Discrimination or feeling excluded from their community
• Being physically isolated or living in remote areas.

Social and cultural factors may also play a role:

• Lack of social connection or support networks
• Cultural attitudes and stigma that create barriers to seeking help
• Recent exposure to suicide in their community or through media coverage.

How can you provide support

If you have noticed some of the suicide warning signs and you are worried about someone, here are some things you can do to provide support.

Have a conversation

If you are concerned about someone, find a quiet moment and place to have a conversation with them. When you are having the conversation, you can keep the following in mind:

• Express your concern compassionately. You can mention specific changes you’ve noticed.
• You can ask directly if they are thinking about suicide – this won’t put the idea in their head. By asking, you are showing that you have noticed a change in them and that you care.
• Listen to what they are saying without any judgement. Show respect and acknowledge the pain they are feeling.
• Provide reassurance that they are not alone and that you care about them.
• If the person has said they are suicidal, you may need to ask some questions to determine their safety. You can ask if they have a specific plan – this helps determine the level of risk. If someone’s life is in danger, please call 000.
• Encourage them to seek professional support. You can support them in accessing and making an appointment with a GP, counsellor, or other mental health professional. They can also call one of the helplines below for immediate support at any time of the day or night.

24/7 crisis support helplines:

• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
• Lifeline – Call 13 11 14
• 13YARN – Call 13 92 76 (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
• Kids Helpline – Call 1800 55 1800 (for kids, teens, and young people)

Read our resource on How to talk to somebody about suicide for more guidance and information, including ways to start the conversation.

You don’t have to manage this alone. You can speak to a trusted friend, family member or health professional. You can also call one of the helplines above for additional support.

Ongoing support

• Stay connected with the person and check in regularly.
• Encourage them to reach out for professional mental health support and offer to accompany them to appointments. Mental health professionals like psychologists and psychiatrists can provide ongoing support – a GP can do a mental health assessment and provide appropriate referrals. The Medicare Mental Health website can also help you find the right mental health services and resources for someone you care about.
• Offer practical support, such as running errands or cooking a meal.
• Offer to help create a suicide safety plan with them.
• Remember to also look after yourself. Make sure you are eating well, getting enough sleep, and finding ways to relax.

Your care and support for someone matters more than you realise. Starting a conversation, listening without judgement, encouraging the person to seek help, and staying connected can provide the person comfort and hope. You don’t have to have all the answers. Being there and listening reminds them that they are not alone.

If you are worried about someone, call Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 to speak to a counsellor. Click on the floating chat button on the right for online counselling. Our service is free and available 24/7.

If it is an emergency, please call 000.

Reference

¹Lifeline Data and Statistics https://www.lifeline.org.au/resources/data-and-statistics/