Can you be suicidal and not know it

Risk factors Risk factors are characteristics or conditions that increase the chance that a person may try to take their life.

Protective Factors Access to mental health care, and being proactive about mental health Feeling connected to family and community support Problem-solving and coping skills Limited access to lethal means Cultural and religious beliefs that encourage connecting and help-seeking, discourage suicidal behavior, or create a strong sense of purpose or self-esteem.

Warning signs Something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors.

What to do if you are concerned If you are concerned about someone in your life, learn more about the ways you can get help and discover tools you can use today to have a RealConvo about mental health. Be guided by your instincts. Reasons for suicidal feelings The reasons that people take their own lives are often very complex.

Other pages in This Section Get support now Suicide myths and facts Feeling suicidal Suicidal warning signs Talking to someone about your suicidal feelings Self-harm and self-injury Worried about someone suicidal After a suicide attempt After a suicide loss Personal stories about suicide.

Get tips on starting the conversation. Be part of our online forum - share and learn from your peers and become part of our online community.

Talking openly with the men in their life might encourage them to share their feelings. The suicide rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is higher than in the general Australian population. As many suicides go unreported in the indigenous community, it is likely that the true rate is even higher. Limited access to mental health services may be a contributing factor. Social and cultural factors mean that Indigenous Australians might experience grief, loss and separation differently from other groups.

Children and young people might attempt suicide after having a close family member die by suicide. Children who are bullied , either face to face or online, are also at greater risk of suicidal thoughts. People with any history of previous suicidal behaviour are more than 30 times more likely to die by suicide than are members of the general population. The stigma and discrimination experienced by some gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex youth can significantly impact their mental health and contribute to social isolation or family rejection.

This can increase the risk of suicide. Around 1 in 6 Australians speak a language other than English at home. People from CALD backgrounds may also be at higher risk of suicide due to social isolation, separation from family and community, language barriers that reduce access to services, and financial stress. Declining health, chronic pain , social isolation, a lack of social support and feelings of depression or hopelessness among older Australians may lead to suicidal thoughts.

However, older people tend to have established relationships with doctors, which can help protect against suicide. Sometimes there are no warning signs of suicide at all. Conversations are important and could save a life. Talking about suicide will not be the cause of someone's suicide. Here are some tips for talking to a person with suicidal thoughts:.

Remember to look after yourself. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Read more on Beyond Blue website. Read more on Better Health Channel website. You can also call a mental health clinic or a hour suicide crisis hotline for help and support. Warning signs for suicide include:. Taking part in risky behaviors, such as having sex with someone you don't know, or drinking and driving.

Was this helpful? Yes No Tell us more. Check all that apply. Wrong topic—not what I was looking for. It was hard to understand. It didn't answer any of my questions. I still don't know what to do next. All rights reserved.