Risk and protective factors provide targets for intervention in both individuals and communities: Decreasing risk factors generally decreases risk, and increasing protective factors generally decreases risk.

Major protective factors for suicide include:

· Effective behavioral/mental health care

· Connectedness to individuals, family, community, and social institutions

· Life skills (including problem solving skills and coping skills, ability to adapt to change)

· Self-esteem and a sense of purpose or meaning in life

· Cultural, religious, or personal beliefs that discourage suicide

· Contact with caregivers

Contributed by Suicide Prevention Resource Center