Understanding Suicide: Five Profiles of Risk

New research identifies five different categories of suicide risk based on a range of key factors, opening avenues for more effective prevention and care.

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Key points

• Suicide rates are a rising cause of death.
• Suicide prevention efforts have increased, notably with the advent of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
• Suicide is hard to predict, and risk-prevention models need refinement to be more effective.
• Identifying unique classes of risk factors opens up opportunities for more effective prevention measures.
• If you or a loved one are concerned about suicide or self-harm, please seek appropriate evaluation immediately. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available for calls, text and chat. 911 and the Emergency Department can be used for emergencies.

Suicide is an increasingly common cause of death. Suicide rates in the United States have increased by more than 35% in the past two decades. According to the National Institute of Mental Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [1], suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in 2021, accounting for more than 48,000 deaths — twice the number…