Suicide is rarely the result of a single event or factor, but can be understood as a complex interplay of biological, psychological and environmental factors that leave a person feeling desperate and hopeless about life.

One in 20 people at any time could be thinking of suicide.

From looking at this picture, can you tell: 

  • Who was formally looked after?
  • Whose partner has left them?
  • Who has experienced a mental illness?
  • Who has just separated from their partner?

We could focus on groups who have high vulnerability to suicide thoughts, or we could focus on groups with a lower vulnerability to suicide thoughts. But actually anyone can think of suicide.

It can be difficult to imagine what leads someone to attempt suicide. In some instances, there may have been no warning signs, and if the person was a friend or family member, you may wonder what clues you might have missed. 

You may think you know why people die by suicide; however, it's essential to know that, often, many factors play a part, which leads a person to the decision to take their own life.