Common Misconceptions about Suicide
Everybody says they know what suicide is, but few actually understand the facts about suicide. There are many misconceptions about suicide - these are just some of the few, and the facts.
People who talk about suicide won't really do it.
FACT: Almost everyone who commits or attempts suicide has given some clue or warning. Do not ignore suicide threats. Statements like "you'll be sorry when I'm dead," "I can't see any way out," — no matter how casually or jokingly said may indicate serious suicidal feelings.
Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy.
FACT: Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They will be upset, grief-stricken, depressed or despairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are not necessarily signs of mental illness.
If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop them.
FACT: Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, wavering until the very last moment between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop. The impulse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.
People who commit suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help.
FACT: Studies of suicide victims have shown that more than half had sought medical help in the six months prior to their deaths.
Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.
FACT: You don't give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true — bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do.
People often commit suicide without warning - "out of the blue."
FACT: Most people who take their lives have communicated intent beforehand, either blatantly or subtly.
Only severely depressed people commit suicide; improvement in emotional state means lessened risk of suicide
FACT: Suicide often occurs at the end of a deep depression when a person's spirits and energy level rise. Suicide requires a certain amount of energy that a severely depressed person may lack.
Suicide only happens around Christmas and Thanksgiving.
FACT: While depression is often greatest in numbers during the holiday season, suicide is actually highest during the spring months. Suicide is a problem year-round
If a person committed suicide, his or her situation was probably so bad that death was the best solution
FACT: The life circumstances of suicidal individuals, while often bad, are survived by most people in similar circumstances. The perception of a difficult or challenging life circumstance is often more severe than the actual event.
The tendency toward suicide is inherited and passed from generation to generation
FACT: Since suicides often do run in families, the assumption is made that suicide is inherited. However, suicide often occurs in individuals with no family history of suicide - just because a family is "clean" does not mean there is no risk for suicide or even a lesser risk for suicide.
The great majority of suicides are among minority groups in lower socioeconomic classes.
FACT: More white, middle-class and affluent people commit suicide. However, suicide still crosses all racial/ethnic groups and classes.
Depression is the leading factor of suicide.
FACT: While depression is a large factor that may lead to suicide, suicide can happen at any time for any reason. Suicide can have many other causes such as mental disorders, stress, or trauma.
Everybody says they know what suicide is, but few actually understand the facts about suicide. There are many misconceptions about suicide - these are just some of the few, and the facts.
People who talk about suicide won't really do it.
FACT: Almost everyone who commits or attempts suicide has given some clue or warning. Do not ignore suicide threats. Statements like "you'll be sorry when I'm dead," "I can't see any way out," — no matter how casually or jokingly said may indicate serious suicidal feelings.
Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy.
FACT: Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They will be upset, grief-stricken, depressed or despairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are not necessarily signs of mental illness.
If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop them.
FACT: Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, wavering until the very last moment between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop. The impulse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.
People who commit suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help.
FACT: Studies of suicide victims have shown that more than half had sought medical help in the six months prior to their deaths.
Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.
FACT: You don't give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true — bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do.
People often commit suicide without warning - "out of the blue."
FACT: Most people who take their lives have communicated intent beforehand, either blatantly or subtly.
Only severely depressed people commit suicide; improvement in emotional state means lessened risk of suicide
FACT: Suicide often occurs at the end of a deep depression when a person's spirits and energy level rise. Suicide requires a certain amount of energy that a severely depressed person may lack.
Suicide only happens around Christmas and Thanksgiving.
FACT: While depression is often greatest in numbers during the holiday season, suicide is actually highest during the spring months. Suicide is a problem year-round
If a person committed suicide, his or her situation was probably so bad that death was the best solution
FACT: The life circumstances of suicidal individuals, while often bad, are survived by most people in similar circumstances. The perception of a difficult or challenging life circumstance is often more severe than the actual event.
The tendency toward suicide is inherited and passed from generation to generation
FACT: Since suicides often do run in families, the assumption is made that suicide is inherited. However, suicide often occurs in individuals with no family history of suicide - just because a family is "clean" does not mean there is no risk for suicide or even a lesser risk for suicide.
The great majority of suicides are among minority groups in lower socioeconomic classes.
FACT: More white, middle-class and affluent people commit suicide. However, suicide still crosses all racial/ethnic groups and classes.
Depression is the leading factor of suicide.
FACT: While depression is a large factor that may lead to suicide, suicide can happen at any time for any reason. Suicide can have many other causes such as mental disorders, stress, or trauma.