Knowing the risk factors and recognizing the warning signs for suicide can help prevent suicide. Suicide is linked to mental disorders, particularly depression and alcohol use disorders, and the strongest risk factor for suicide is a previous suicide attempt. Untreated, mental illness can contribute to higher medical expenses, poorer performance at school and work, fewer employment opportunities and increased risk to die soon.Knowing the warning signs of suicide and where/how to get help can save lives since it is a tragic, yet preventable event. Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, socioeconomic background, gender, or ethnicity. Suicide can affect anyone just like mental health conditions and it is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicide prevention starts with recognizing warning signs and taking them seriously. However, talking to someone about these signs or symptoms can be extremely difficult. If you are unsure whether someone is suicidal, the best way to find out is to ask. You cannot make a person suicidal by showing you care. In fact, giving a suicidal person the opportunity to express their feelings can provide relief from loneliness and pent-up negative feelings and may prevent a suicide attempt. The important thing is to get help! If we are willing to ask uncomfortable questions and have difficult conversations, fewer people in our lives will die by suicide.