Which of the following is listed as an acute risk factor for suicide?

• A. Recent suicide attempts
• B. Regular exercise
• C. Balanced diet
• D. Good sleep

Answer: (A)

Acute risk factors are indicators of imminent danger and require urgent attention. A recent suicide attempt is the clearest example because it shows the person has engaged in self-harm recently and may still be at high risk due to factors like intent, access to means, and current distress. The period right after an attempt is when risk is often at its highest, making this a strong near-term predictor.

The other options—regular exercise, a balanced diet, and good sleep—are important for overall mental health and can reduce risk over time; they act as protective factors that support resilience. They don’t signal immediate danger in the same way a recent attempt does, even though poor sleep or other issues can contribute to risk if present with other factors.