Suicide is a major cause of preventable death. The number of men ending their own lives has fallen, but too many men still commit suicide.
People who already have a mental health issues are at a greater risk, along with those experiencing depression.
The teenage years can be difficult at the best of times. Emotional and physical development brings the turmoil associated with body changes and a desire for independence.
Problems with alcohol and drugs, the law and school are common at this point in life and are associated with a higher risk.
At the other end of the spectrum, getting older brings bereavement for many people. Loved ones and friends pass on, ill health and loss of independence are more common.
Tragically, in the UK, this usually culminates in social isolation as older people are forgotten about and ignored.
We all feel down from time to time, but most of us don't think things are so bad life isn't worth continuing. However, some things do put a person at greater risk of suicide.
Having tried once, someone is far more likely to try again - and to be successful. One in ten teenagers who takes an overdose will kill themselves within a few years.
Living alone and feeling isolated, whether because of divorce, unemployment or bereavement, often makes people question if life is worth living.
A painful chronic illness that prevents someone getting on with their life, or mental health issues such as severe depression, alcoholism or drug misuse, for example, should flag up the possibility that a person is more likely to consider suicide as a solution to their problems.

Stress
Long-term, increased steroid levels have been linked to impaired immunity and illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and depression.
These chemicals would have affected the caveman just as they do us. Our macho image of 'fight or flight' stress is wrong, because being stressed isn't about a beating heart or a dry mouth. The signs are much more subtle - and they can't be tackled with a club and a spear.
Tips to identify stress symptoms
constant fatigue and irregular sleep patterns
poor concentration and short-term memory
introspection increases and is accompanied by neglect of the family and personal appearance
constant repetition of the same actions
increased irritability
But even if you don't recognise the stress-symptoms listed here, don't presume you're fit and well. Everyone's reaction is idiosyncratic, and it can be astonishingly difficult to recognise at the time.

Stress
A little bit of stress isn't always a bad thing; it mobilises our bodies and energises us during the coping process. But being overstressed may result in a range of health problems.
The most common perception of stress is the 'fight or flight' scenario, and the story goes something like this. A caveman is confronted by an angry mastodon: he either needs to club it to death or run for his life. A quick surge in the 'stress-hormone' adrenaline allows him to act by strengthening his heartbeat, widening his airways and redirecting blood to his muscles.
But there are two problems with this Neanderthal model. First, the riskiest animals our predecessors had to confront were rabbits and deer, not elephants and tigers. In fact, our hairy forefathers spent most of their time collecting berries and roots with their children, aunties and pals. Just like us, the caveman never stood alone in front of wild animals - unless there had been some kind of terrible mistake.
The second error is to try to relate stress solely to adrenaline. Although the physical effects of frights and acute (short-term) stress are caused by adrenaline, this hormone doesn't enter the brain. Longer-term stress relates to a range of other hormones and brain neurotransmitters.

Positive steps to change this behaviour (Attention seeking)
Knowing that these thoughts are there is an important first stage in overcoming attention-seeking behaviour. They will be negative thoughts like: "I fear that I'm not good enough, everyone here is better than me", or "I'm not attractive, nobody loves me". You can stop the whole process right there and then by challenging these beliefs with: "Of course I'm good, I'm just as good as the next person" or 'I'm attractive and loveable but I do need to be bolder and chat to people," for example.
But life is life and perhaps we let these thoughts ferment. All is not lost however. You can recognise the feelings that accompany your thoughts and then take action. If you feel undermined, insecure, ignored or unrewarded then be aware of your particular emotional triggers to attention-seeking behaviour. Go back to thoughts that generated the feeling or simply relax and take some time out to examine what is going on.
Finally, what really works is to talk about how you feel to the person or people causing the problem. The mother who's doing far too much for her family needs to negotiate with them to do more. If she cooks they do the dishes. If not, they may have to fend for themselves. This direct approach is far healthier than acting like a martyr or shouting the odds. At least it provides you with the opportunity of finding a solution.