Statistical risk factors for suicide

Demographic

• Males in general

• Gays, lesbians, bisexuals

• Single, divorced, separated, widowed

• Teens and the elderly

• People who are living alone or who are socially isolated

• Whites, Native Americans

• Physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, dentists, police officers, attorneys (white male psychologists have the highest professional suicide rate)

• The unemployed

Clinical

• Major depression

• Chronic emotional or physical pain

• Terminal illness

• Loss of physical functioning, including neurological disorders

• Loss of body parts or physical integrity

• HIV, AIDS

• Dialysis, dependence on others for health care

• Co-morbidity

Individual

• History of prior attempts

• Family history of suicide

• Family history of physical or sexual abuse or drug abuse

Source: Frank A. Jones Jr., MD, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey­Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.