Suicidal Ideation: Facts, Risk Factors, Warning Signs and Treatment

According to National Survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 4.3% of U.S. adults ages 18 and older had thoughts about suicide.

Unfortunately, suicides are on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of the states in the United States report more than a 30% increase since 1999, and nearly all the rest reporting increased rates since then.

For people with mental health disorders, this rate is significantly higher. Again, the exact numbers are unclear, but since suicidal ideation is a symptom of mental health disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety, and certain personality disorders, the problem exists at a far greater percentage when it comes to people with mental health disorders.

With all that being said, understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide.  If you have suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

What Is Suicidal Ideation?

“Suicidal ideations,” often called “suicidal thoughts,” is a broad term used to describe a range of contemplations, wishes, and preoccupations with death and suicide. 

Suicidal ideation is one of the symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, but it may also occur in people with other mental illnesses or no mental illness at all.

Not everyone with suicidal ideation acts on it. There are two kinds of suicidal ideation: passive and active. Passive suicidal ideation occurs when you wish you were dead or that you could die, but you don’t actually have any plans to commit suicide.

Active suicidal ideation, on the other hand, is not only thinking about it but having the intent to commit suicide, including planning how to do it. If you or a loved one has passive or active suicidal ideation, you should get help right away.

Suicidal Ideation: Risk Factors

Things that can make you more likely to have suicidal ideation include:

• Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and certain personality disorders
• Alcohol and other substance use disorders
• Hopelessness
• Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
• History of trauma or abuse
• Major physical illnesses
• Previous suicide attempt
• Family history of suicide
• Job or financial loss
• Loss of relationship
• Easy access to lethal means
• Local clusters of suicide
• Lack of social support and sense of isolation
• Stigma associated with asking for help
• Lack of healthcare, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment
• Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
• Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and Internet)

Suicidal Ideation: Warning Signs

Some warning signs may help you determine if you or a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these, seek help ASAP:

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or isolating themselves
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Extreme mood swings

Suicidal Ideation: Treatment

As we already mentioned in this article, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the 2nd leading cause of death in people between the ages of 10-34. The gravity of the situation can be seen in the fact that every 11 minutes, one person loses their life to suicide.  What is worse, many cases of suicide are not even reported due to stigma, religious beliefs, and other concerns. Hence, the actual picture may be even darker than statistics shows.

What if You’re Worried About a Loved One?

If you’re concerned that someone you care about might have suicidal ideation:

Have a candid talk. Ask them: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” Experts say that as hard as it is to ask this won’t make your loved one think about suicide more.

Show support. Research says talking about it and acknowledging it may help your loved one think about suicide less often.

Find support. Add the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 800-273-TALK (8255) — and the Crisis Text Line’s number (741741) to your phone contacts. Share these numbers with your loved one, too. If the risk of suicide is mild or moderate you could also connect with an outpatient mental health treatment center, like Overland in Los Angeles, California.

Stay in touch. Check-in with them often after you talk. Let them know you’re there for them when they need you.