There is no single answer to this question. There are many factors, such as traumatic and difficult life events, that can contribute to suicide risk. However, an estimated 90% of people who take their own lives have a mental health condition, such as a depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, or substance use disorder. Individuals with depressive disorders are especially at risk for suicide, but this risk is not overwhelming. Most people living with a depressive disorder or other mental illnesses can receive help through awareness, education, and treatment. The most common source of suicide risk is when a mental health condition is mistreated or left untreated.

According to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics, suicide is responsible for nearly 45,000 deaths in the U.S. each year — an average of 123 a day. CDC also estimates that, in 2016, nearly 10 million American adults seriously contemplated ending their life, nearly 3 million made a suicide plan, and 1.3 million attempted suicide.

You can look for warning signs for suicide that are related to the way the person is talking or acting. However, it’s not always obvious that someone is at risk, so the best way to know if someone is thinking about suicide is to ask them.

Some behaviors may indicate that a person is at immediate risk for suicide.

The following three should prompt you to immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or a mental health professional.

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself

• Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or obtaining a gun

• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

Other behaviors may also indicate a serious risk—especially if the behavior is new; has increased; and/or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change.

• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

• Talking about being a burden to others

• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly

• Sleeping too little or too much

• Withdrawing or feeling isolated

• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

• Displaying extreme mood swings

No. Research has found that asking someone whether they’re having suicidal thoughts does not give them suicidal tendencies. The actual risk is not talking about suicide with someone who may be in crisis.

There are several ways to talk to a family member, friend, co-worker, or acquaintance thinking about suicide. To get started, see SAVE’s advice on beginning a dialogue with someone, asking the right questions, and knowing what to say and do based on what you learn from the conversation.

It’s possible. For people without a mental health condition, being exposed to a family member’s or friend’s suicide attempt usually doesn’t increase their suicide risk in the absence of other risk factors, like substance misuse, trauma, abuse, or a major physical illness. However, for people with a mental health condition, being exposed to a family member’s or friend’s suicide attempt can put them at greater risk for attempting suicide.

No. A suicide attempt is a sign that someone is in crisis. It should always be taken seriously and never ignored. Without intervention and proper treatment, a person who has attempted suicide is at risk for attempting suicide again.

Sometimes, a person having suicidal thoughts doesn’t have enough energy to attempt it. They may regain some energy, but their feelings of hopelessness remain, and the increased energy level could contribute to acting on suicidal feelings. Another theory proposes that a person may “give in” to their feelings of hopelessness. This relieves some anxiety, which makes them appear calmer in the period preceding a suicide attempt. The most important takeaway is to maintain an open dialogue with someone who has recently been in crisis; never assume that those feelings have gone away.

Yes. Never give up on someone who is thinking about suicide, even if they’ve said they’ve already made up their mind. A person determined to attempt suicide often experiences feelings of hopelessness and a desire to stop their suffering. You can help a person in crisis by giving them hope and by helping them regain perspective, which can lessen their suicidal thoughts or prevent them from attempting suicide.

Check out SAVE’s suicide prevention page for information on seeking help, getting treatment, reducing someone’s access to lethal means of suicide, and more.