Females are three times as likely to attempt suicide as males, but three times as many males as females die from suicide. Teenagers and the elderly are the two major high-risk age groups. Depression is involved in most suicides, and there are thirty times as many suicides in depressives as in the general population. For 25 to 50 percent of those who commit suicide, at least one previous suicide attempt has been made. An estimated 15 percent of alcoholics commit suicide.
Suicide is more likely when the person has a diminished capacity to think logically.
Social Supports Lacking. People who are lonely and isolated from other people have a higher suicide risk than do others. Suicide risk is heightened when the person has thought out specific details of a suicide plan. Illness increases the chances of suicide. Because most suicidal people actually wish to be rescued, about 75 percent of them will give notice of their intentions in the form of clues.