Setting the Record Straight: Debunking Suicide Myths

In the United States, a person dies from suicide every 11 minutes. Each year, hundreds of thousands of lives are lost globally to suicide, devastating a countless number of loved ones and communities. This Suicide Prevention Month, we’re determined to spread awareness, starting with myth-busting three major suicide myths. 

Myth: Suicide happens without warning

4 out of 5 individuals who commit suicide show signs that they are thinking about suicide prior to the attempt. Warning signs can present verbally, through concerning comments, or behaviorally, through actions that indicate emotional distress. If an individual talks about feeling hopeless, trapped, guilty, worthless, or like a burden to others, this could be a sign they are considering suicide. Behaviors that often predate a suicide attempt include increased alcohol and drug use, withdrawal from family and friends, reckless behavior, giving away possessions, changes in eating and sleeping, and saying goodbye to loved ones. If you recognize these warning signs in someone around you, it’s important to take them seriously. Something as simple as acknowledging changes in someone’s behavior and asking if they’re okay could make all the difference—and may even save a life.

Myth: Talking about suicide can make someone more likely to commit

Despite the growing conversations around mental health in recent years, the word “suicide” is still surrounded by stigma and taboo. Individuals may be scared to start conversations about suicide out of fear they may put the idea of suicide in someone else’s mind. In reality, that idea is completely false. Research shows that talking to someone about suicide is actually more likely to save a life than encourage suicidal behavior. Open conversations about suicide provide opportunities for individuals to share emotions, feel supported, and get the help they need. If you want to start a conversation about suicide but don’t know how, check out these tips.

Myth: Once someone decides to commit suicide, nothing can stop them

The vast majority of individuals with thoughts of suicide are ambivalent about their decision to commit. If someone shares with you that they are planning to take their life, there are steps you can take to help them before it’s too late. Listen nonjudgmentally, provide support, and avoid arguing with the individual. Ask questions like “Can I help you get support?” or “Have you thought of how you would do it?” If you determine that a person is at “high risk” of suicide, it’s imperative that you don’t leave them alone and seek professional help immediately. 

Although you can do your best to support someone in crisis, at the end of the day, there is only so much you can do. The hurt and loss of losing someone to suicide is immense, but it’s crucial to remember that no one should blame themselves for another’s suicidal act. If you’ve lost someone to suicide, know your emotions are valid. We want you to know that you aren’t alone and that there are resources available for you.