What are the primary risk factors for suicide?

The primary risk factors for suicide include mental illness, substance abuse, and previous suicide attempts, making the first option the most appropriate choice.

Mental illness is a significant contributor, as conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia can elevate the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Substance abuse often co-occurs with mental health issues and can impair judgment, decrease impulse control, and increase feelings of hopelessness, further contributing to suicide risk. Furthermore, a history of previous suicide attempts is one of the strongest predictors of future attempts, as it signifies a previous engagement with suicidal thoughts or self-harm, indicating a higher level of risk.

In contrast, the other options describe protective factors rather than risk factors. Strong social support and effective clinical care can help mitigate the risk of suicide by providing emotional and practical assistance, while access to mental health resources and community engagement can enhance protective factors. Regular physical exercise and positive social relationships have also been shown to have beneficial effects on mental health and can act as protective measures against suicidal thoughts and behaviors. However, these do not align with the definition of primary risk factors for suicide as clearly as mental illness, substance abuse, and previous attempts.