Some are simple misunderstandings, but believing others can have fatal consequences.
| MYTH |
REALITY |
| You have to be crazy or mentally ill to think about suicide. |
Anyone considering suicide is in pain, and probably also has a chemical imbalance in their brain. Most suicides and suicide attempts are made by people who cannot cope with the level of pain they are experiencing, especially in the midst of a crisis.
Anyone can attempt suicide. |
| Talking about suicide may give them ideas. |
Chances are, they've already thought about it. Your openness and concern in asking about suicide will allow the person experiencing pain to talk about the problem, which may help reduce anxiety.
This may also allow the person with suicidal thoughts to feel less lonely or isolated, and perhaps a bit relieved that someone else is here and will help them shoulder the burden. |
| People who talk about suicide are just trying to get attention. |
Never assume that someone just wants attention, or is "threatening" suicide. People who commit suicide usually talk about it first. They are in pain and often reach out for help because they do not know what to do and have lost hope.
All suicide attempts must be treated as though the person has the intent to die. Your attention may well save a life. Always take talk about suicide seriously. Always. |
| People who talk about killing themselves never do it. It's a way of letting off steam.
Those who kill themselves don't normally talk about it. They just go ahead and do it. |
People who talk about wanting to die by suicide often kill themselves. Be very concerned if the talk involves specific plans or dates and times. There's a difference between "Sometimes I just want to die" and "I've been saving my pills... just in case".
Ask them what they're thinking, and if they're seriously considering suicide. Talking about suicide provides the opportunity for a suicidal person to share their fears, and to try to hand over their burden to someone else. They want you to help. |
| If a person is seriously considering suicide, there is nothing you can do. |
Most suicides can be prevented. Most people who are suicidal do not actively want to die; they just want to stop their pain. If you can offer your support, you may give them the strength they need to make it through another day. Do try to get them to someone who can offer professional help as well. |
| Suicide always occurs without any warning signs. |
There are almost always warning signs. Maybe the person has mentioned suicide, maybe they have been depressed. Look for funeral plans, giving away of prized possessions, care arrangements being made for pets. It is important to seek help if the person mentions specific details or displayswarning signs. |
| People who are suicidal definitely want to die. |
The vast majority of people who are suicidal do not want to die. They are in pain, and have been in pain for some time. They want to stop the pain, and can see only one way. By this point, suicide isn't a choice, it's the only choice for them. |
| When people become suicidal, they will always be suicidal. |
Most people are suicidal for a limited period of time. However, suicidal feelings can recur - there's no "fix" or "cure". It takes a long time to recover, and there may be some regression before true progress is made. |
| If a depressed or suicidal person feels better, they are no longer a suicide risk. |
Sometimes a previously suicidal person will seem much better, with uplifted spirits. This may be because they now have the strength to act, and have determined that they will die now. They may also feel a sense of relief that the pain will soon be over. |
| If someone tried to kill themselves once, there is a much smaller chance that they will try again. |
As many as 80% of all completed suicides occurred within 3 months or a previous attempt. This is especially true for young people.
Any suicide attempt is regarded as an indicator of further attempts. It is likely that the level of danger will increase with each further suicide attempt. |
| People who attempt suicide have gotten it out of their systems and won’t try it again. |
If their situation does not change, the pain is still there and they probably will try again. |
| Young people never think about suicide. |
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24. Even children under 10 die by suicide. |
| All suicidal young people are depressed. |
While depression is a contributory factor in most suicides, it need not be present for suicide to be attempted or completed. |
| People who are suicidal do not seek help. |
Many people who are suicidal reach out for help (around 70%). If someone you know mentions suicide as a possibility, please seek help. |
| Telling someone else that a friend might be suicidal is betraying a trust. |
True friends care enough about someone's well-being to get them help when they need it, in the same way that you should always tell someone about suspected abuse. |
| A promise to keep a note unopened and unread should always be kept. |
Where the potential for harm, or actual harm, is disclosed then confidentiality should not be maintained. A sealed note "for later" is a very strong indicator that something is seriously amiss. A sealed note is a late sign in the progression towards suicide. |
| Most suicidal people never seek or ask for help with their problems. |
Evidence shows that young people often tell their peers of their thoughts and plans. Most suicidal adults visit a medical doctor during the three months prior to killing themselves. Adolescents are more likely to 'ask' for help through non-verbal gestures than to express their situation verbally to others. |
| Suicidal young people are always angry when someone intervenes and they will resent that person afterwards. |
While it is common for young people to be defensive and resist help at first, these behaviours are often a form of test to see how much people care and are prepared to help.
For most adolescents considering suicide, it is a relief to have someone genuinely care about them and to be able to share their emotional burden with another person. When questioned some time later, the vast majority express gratitude for the intervention. |
| Suicide is hereditary. |
Although suicide can appear to run in families, it is not hereditary.
Members of families share the same emotional environment, and may inherit the same tendencies towards illnesses such as depression or bipolar disorder which can exacerbate the potential for suicide attempts.
The completed suicide of one family member may well raise the awareness of suicide as an option for other family members. |
| Suicide is painless. |
Many suicide methods are very painful.
Fictional portrayals of suicide do not usually include the reality of the pain.
Suicide is also not usually quick. |
| Every death is preventable. |
No matter how alert, careful and caring you may be, there is no way of preventing all suicides from occurring. |