This is a difficult and serious topic, and it is crucial to approach it with sensitivity and the understanding that suicide is rarely caused by a single factor. It is the result of a complex interplay of mental health issues, personal circumstances, and biological risk factors.

While there isn’t a definitive “top 10” list, research consistently highlights the following categories and specific factors as the most common underlying reasons and conditions associated with suicidal behavior:

1. Underlying Mental Health Conditions

Mental illnesses are the most significant risk factor, associated with the majority of suicides.

• Clinical Depression (Major Depressive Disorder): This is the single most common condition linked to suicide. It involves persistent feelings of hopelessness, profound sadness, loss of pleasure, and an inability to see a way out of pain.

• Bipolar Disorder: The extreme mood shifts, particularly severe depressive episodes and periods of impulsivity during mania, increase risk.

• Schizophrenia and Psychosis: Dealing with hallucinations, delusions, and the profound difficulty of engaging with reality dramatically increases distress and risk.

• Anxiety Disorders (including PTSD): The intensity of chronic fear, agitation, and the struggle to cope with trauma can become overwhelming.

2. Substance Use and Addiction

• Alcohol and Drug Misuse: Substance use disorders frequently co-occur with mental health conditions and greatly increase the risk of suicide. Drugs and alcohol impair judgment, reduce inhibitions, and can intensify feelings of depression and hopelessness, leading to impulsive acts.

3. Feelings of Hopelessness and Trappedness

• Intense Hopelessness: A core psychological state in suicide is the belief that one’s pain or life circumstances will never get better, making death seem like the only solution or escape.

• Feeling Trapped or Like a Burden: A feeling of being an unbearable financial, emotional, or physical burden on family and loved ones, coupled with a belief that there is no escape from a difficult situation.

4. Major Stressors and Life Events

These external factors often act as a catalyst when combined with underlying mental health issues.

• Interpersonal Loss or Conflict: Experiencing the death of a loved one, divorce, relationship breakup, or severe family conflict.

• Financial or Employment Loss: Sudden unemployment, major financial difficulties, or legal troubles can create immense stress and feelings of shame.

• Trauma and Abuse: A history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, violence, or chronic bullying.

5. Physical Health Factors

• Chronic Pain and Illness: Dealing with a chronic, debilitating, or terminal physical illness, especially when accompanied by persistent, intense, or unbearable pain, can lead to severe depression and a desire to end suffering.

6. Previous Suicide Attempts

• History of Attempts: A prior suicide attempt is one of the strongest predictors of future attempts and completed suicide.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help immediately. You can contact a crisis hotline like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US and Canada by simply calling or texting 988.