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Ligature and/or Suicide Risk Reduction - Assessing Risk Factors
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NPSG.15.01.01 EP 3 requires that the suicide risk assessment include 'risk factors'. What are examples of these risk factors ?

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Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.

Risk factors may be described as a combination of individual, relationship, community, and societal levels that can increase the possibility that a person will attempt suicide. 

Examples of risk factors include, but are not limited to:

Individual Risk Factors 
  • Previous suicide attempt(s)
  • History of mental illnesses, particularly depression
  • Serious physical illness, such as chronic pain
  • Criminal/legal issues
  • Financial problems or job loss
  • Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
  • Substance use 
  • Current or prior history of adverse childhood experiences 
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Violence victimization and/or perpetration
Relationship Risk Factors
  • ​​​​​​​Bullying
  • Family history of suicide
  • Loss
  • Violent or high conflict
  • Isolation 
Community Risk Factors 
  • Lack of access to healthcare
  • Suicide clusters
  • Adopting and adjusting to a new environment 
  • Violence
  • Discrimination 
Societal Risk Factors
  • Stigma associated with mental illness and seeking help
  • Access to lethal means
  • Media portrayals of suicide 
References
The Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Additional Resource
Suicide Prevention Portal
 
Manual: Hospital and Hospital Clinics
Chapter: National Patient Safety Goals NPSG
Last reviewed by Standards Interpretation: February 01, 2022 Represents the most recent date that the FAQ was reviewed (e.g. annual review).
First published date: May 07, 2019 This Standards FAQ was first published on this date.
This page was last updated on September 10, 2024 with update notes of: Editorial changes only Types of changes and an explanation of change type: Editorial changes only: Format changes only. No changes to content. | Review only, FAQ is current: Periodic review completed, no changes to content. | Reflects new or updated requirements: Changes represent new or revised requirements.
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