Why do people take their own lives
There is no one reason why people take their own lives. It is often as a result of problems building up to the point where the person can see no other way to cope with what they're experiencing.
Very often people (or the media) look for a ‘cause' as if there is one factor that has led someone to take their own life. In reality, the way someone feels is a result of many factors. For example, a recent survey of Samaritans callers found that 86% of them were calling about a number of problems or worries rather than one single thing.
The kinds of problems that might increase the risk of suicide include:
Recent loss or the break up of a close relationship
An actual or expected unhappy change in circumstances
Painful and/or disabling physical illness
Heavy use of, or dependency on alcohol/other drugs
History of earlier suicide attempts or self-harming
History of suicide in the family
Depression
When someone is feeling low or distressed it may be that a seemingly minor event is the trigger for them attempting to kill themselves.
