What We Know about Suicide
• Suicide-related behaviors include the following:
Suicide: Death caused by self-directed
injurious behavior with any intent to die.
Suicide attempt: A non-fatal self-directed
potentially injurious behavior with any intent
to die as a result of the behavior. A suicide
attempt may or may not result in injury.
Suicidal ideation: Thinking about,
considering, or planning for suicide.
• Suicide-related behavior is complicated and
rarely the result of a single source of trauma or
stress.
• People who engage in suicide-related behavior
often experience overwhelming feelings of
helplessness and hopelessness.
• ANY involvement with bullying behavior is one
stressor which may significantly contribute to
feelings of helplessness and hopelessness that
raise the risk of suicide.
• Youth who are at increased risk for suiciderelated
behavior are dealing with a complex
interaction of multiple relationship (peer,
family, or romantic), mental health, and school
stressors.