People usually reach suicide when they feel overwhelming pain and hopelessness and can no longer see any other way for that pain to end. It is almost never about a single event, but about many factors piling up over time, often together with mental health conditions like depression or substance use problems.

Common emotional reasons

Many people who become suicidal feel trapped, hopeless, or like a burden to others, and believe things will never get better. They may feel intense emotional pain, shame, guilt, or loneliness that seems impossible to escape.

Life events and stress

Big losses or shocks can trigger suicidal thoughts, such as the death of someone close, relationship breakups, job loss, financial crisis, bullying, or serious illness. For some, long-term stress from discrimination, abuse, or violence slowly wears down their ability to cope.

Mental health and biology

Most people who die by suicide have a mental health condition such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, or psychosis. A family history of mental illness or suicide, or certain personality traits like impulsivity and poor coping skills, can also increase risk.

Social and environmental factors

Loneliness, social isolation, high conflict relationships, and lack of support make suicidal thoughts more likely to grow. Easy access to lethal means (like firearms or certain medications) and difficulty accessing mental health care also increase the chance that a crisis becomes deadly.

If this feels personal

If you are asking this because you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out to a trusted person and a crisis or suicide hotline in your country can be lifesaving; talking about suicidal thoughts does not make them worse and often reduces the feeling of being alone. If there is any immediate danger, emergency services or the nearest emergency department are the safest options.