Relational protective factors

Relational suicide protective factors are the interpersonal aspects of our that can support us to be mentally resilient and decrease suicide risk. They can serve as a buffer against stress and mental health challenges.

Key relational protective factors include:

  • Protective childhood experiences
  • Supportive relationships
  • Feeling meaningful connections with others

Protective childhood experiences are positive experiences during childhood that support healthy development and resilience.

Positive experiences in our childhood helps provide us with a strong foundation for emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. They help us navigate challenges in healthier ways.

Examples of protective childhood experiences include:

  • Stable and nurturing relationships with dependable caregivers offers emotional support, helps develop feelings of security and builds trust and self-worth
  • Feeling loved and supported fosters a sense of belonging, develop positive self-esteem and builds resilience
  • Positive role models demonstrating effective communication and healthy coping skills
  • Safe physical environments that contribute to overall feelings of safety and stability
  • Opportunities for learning and growth to help develop problem solving skills, curiosity and adaptability
  • Supportive peer relationships help develop social skills and empathy as well as provide a sense of belonging beyond the family
  • Involvement in meaningful activities, sports and hobbies help develop skills and interests and provide a sense of purpose and achievement
  • Feeling heard and valued supports feelings of self-worth, confidence and independence by showing their opinions and feelings matter
  • Positive school experience that is supportive and welcoming can contribute to a child’s sense of security, achievement, and social wellbeing
  • Healthy expressions of emotions help develop emotional intelligence and resilience encouraging children to express emotions safely and learn coping strategies

Supportive, healthy relationships can offer emotional security, practical help, and a sense of belonging.

Here are some of the different areas of our lives where we can develop positive and supportive relationships:

  1. Family relationships: Close, loving family bonds showing understanding, empathy, and emotional availability contribute to our emotional resilience.
  2. Romantic relationships: For many, a stable romantic partner or spouse offers emotional support and a sense of purpose. These relationships can provide consistency and motivation during difficult times.
  3. Friendships: Having friends who provide emotional and practical support helps us feel valued and understood and provides us with a sense of belonging. Often we have different groups of friends that fulfil different roles and needs.

Supportive relationships help us create a foundation of security, trust, and mutual care. They can provide a protective buffer against stress, emotional distress, and suicidal thoughts.

These relationships remind us that we are not alone, that help is available, and that our lives are meaningful, offering hope during even the most challenging times.

Meaningful connections with others, alongside supportive relationships, strengthens our social network. They can offer a sense of acceptance and belonging that boosts confidence and feelings of self-worth.

Connections can include: 

  1. Colleagues: Colleagues who value and support us as part of an organisation with shared purpose and identity can help reduce feelings of isolation, foster hope and create a strong sense of belonging.
  2. Community connections: Connections with neighbours and peers from community groups, hobby groups or sports clubs can help reduce isolation, and offers us a sense of belonging.
  3. Community and cultural connection: Involvement in cultural, religious, or spiritual communities can also serve as a protective factor. These communities often emphasize shared values, identity, and connectedness, which helps individuals find meaning and resilience.

By fostering and maintaining relationships and connections, we can develop better coping skills and a greater sense of hope.