Suicide Prevention Program
People threaten and attempt to take their lives for many reasons. Too often, they are successful. Both verbal threats to commit suicide and actual suicide attempts can be seen as calls for help. More than 90% of suicide victims have a diagnosable psychiatric illness, most commonly a mood disorder. Other common conditions include schizophrenia, alcohol abuse/dependence, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. Depression, which can lead to suicidal feelings, can be the result of both biological and environmental factors.
The reasons for suicide attempts may change over a person’s lifetime. Research cannot capture all the causes for suicide but some contributing factors include:
- Lack of healthy emotional connection with friends, family or other caring adults.
- Misuse or abuse of alcohol and other substances.
- A prolonged sense of hopelessness, despair, and depression.
- Lack of access to mental health services.
Other risk factors include experiencing a recent painful event (such as job loss or loss of loved one), chronic medical illness, and a family history of suicide attempts or completions.
Find Help
Please refer to these Crisis Treatment hotlines for help.
Learn More
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Suicide Prevention Information and Resources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) Suicide Prevention Resources
- National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) Suicide Prevention Information
- Veterans Crisis Line
Recent Activity
News Articles
Latest
- All New Mexicans have a role in suicide prevention (September 5, 2023)
- Youth suicide rates decline in New Mexico (September 8, 2022)
- New Mexico Firearm-Related Deaths Increased in 2020 and Substantially Since 2010 (December 23, 2021)
Popular
- Suicide and High School Students (September 9, 2015)
- New Mexico Suicide Rate Declines in 2016 (September 18, 2017)
- New Mexico Suicide Deaths Increase in 2020 (December 6, 2021)
Publications
Latest
- Proclamation: Suicide Prevention Month 2022 (General)
- Suicide in New Mexico Fact Sheet (Help)
- Suicide Fact Sheet (Help)
Popular
Resources
Latest
- Youth Suicide Warning Signs
- Adult Suicide Warning Signs
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) Suicide Prevention Resources