Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own
death. Suicide is often carried out as a result of
despair, the cause of which is frequently attributed to a
mental disorder such as
depression,
bipolar disorder,
schizophrenia,
borderline personality disorder,
alcoholism, or
drug abuse, as well as stress factors such as
financial difficulties, troubles with
interpersonal relationships, and
bullying.
Suicide prevention efforts include limiting access to method of suicide such as firearms and poisons, treating mental illness and drug misuse, and improving economic conditions. Although
crisis hotlines are common, there is little evidence for their effectiveness.