Title: Why Do People Commit Suicide?
Headings: Why Do People Commit Suicide?
Why Do People Commit Suicide?
Mental Illness
Traumatic Stress
Substance Use and Impulsivity
Loss or Fear of Loss
Hopelessness
Chronic Pain and Illness
Feeling Like a Burden to Others
Social Isolation
Cry for Help
Accidental Suicide
A Word From Verywell

Content: According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, depression is present in about half of all suicides. Can You Die From Depression? Other mental illnesses that can increase the risk of suicide include: Bipolar disorder 2 ﻿
Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
Eating disorders 3 ﻿
Schizophrenia
Traumatic Stress
A person who has had a traumatic experience, including childhood sexual abuse, rape, physical abuse, or war trauma, is at a greater risk for suicide, even many years after the trauma. 4 ﻿
In a survey of nearly 6,000 U.S. adults, nearly 22% of people who have been raped had attempted suicide at some point while 23% who experienced physical assault tried to take their own life at some point. Being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) or multiple incidents of trauma raises the risk even further. This is partly because depression is common after trauma and among those with PTSD, causing feelings of helplessness and hopelessness that can lead to suicide. The Connection Between Suicide and PTSD
Substance Use and Impulsivity
Drugs and alcohol can also influence a person who is feeling suicidal, making them more impulsive and likely to act upon their urges than they would be while sober. Substance and alcohol use can contribute to other reasons people commit suicide, such as the loss of jobs and relationships. 5 ﻿
The rates of substance use and alcohol use disorder are also higher among people with depression and other psychological disorders.