Although the reasons why people commit suicide are multifaceted and complex, life circumstances that may immediately precede someone committing suicide include the time period of at least a week after discharge from a psychiatric hospital or a sudden change in how the person appears to feel (for example, much worse or much better). Examples of possible triggers (precipitants) for suicide are real or imagined losses, like the breakup of a romantic relationship, moving, loss (especially if sa pamamagitan ng suicide) of a friend, loss of freedom, or loss of other privileges.

Firearms are sa pamamagitan ng far the most common methods sa pamamagitan ng which people take their life, accounting for nearly 60% of suicide deaths per year. Older people are madami likely to kill themselves using a firearm compared to younger people. Another suicide method used sa pamamagitan ng some individuals is sa pamamagitan ng threatening police officers, sometimes even with an unloaded gun or a fake weapon. That is commonly referred to as "suicide sa pamamagitan ng cop." Although firearms are the most common way people complete suicide, trying to overdose on medication is the most common means sa pamamagitan ng which people attempt to kill themselves