EXPLORING THE MANY MYTHS + MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SUICIDE
When it comes to mental health + suicide, there are so many stereotypes and myths. These misconceptions make life even harder for those already struggling with serious distress or mental illness. That's what stigma is, treating someone unfairly or judging them because of their circumstance or attributes.
To fight against stigma, we need to examine how these perceptions show up in our lives, recognize our own biases, and consciously work to counter these beliefs.
myth
People who talk about suicide won't really go through with it, they just want attention.
fact
At Samaritans we say, if someone is talking about suicide, it's not that they want attention, it's that they need attention.
Take all talk of suicide seriously.
75% of people who attempt suicide do or say something to let others know before they act.
myth
Asking someone if they're thinking about suicide might give them the idea.
fact
Research shows that asking someone about suicide DOES NOT give them the idea.
If you are worried about someone, don't be afraid to talk to them directly about your concerns.
myth
If someone is determined to take their own life, there is really nothing anyone can do about it.
fact
Suicide is an ambivalent act.
Most people who are suicidal do not want to die, but they don't see another alternative to deal with the pain they are experiencing. But suicide can be prevented.
For most, feeling actively suicidal is a temporary state. Mental health support can help people cope with their suicidal feelings.
Challenge your own bias and see how you respond to the prompts on this worksheet.
UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE
Key Statistics (US)
- Suicide is a leading cause of preventable death.
- It is estimated that someone dies by suicide every 11 minutes.
- There are 25 attempts for every completed suicide.
- Suicide is the leading cause of death for Millenials.
- The suicide rate for Black youth is rising faster than any other racial/ ethnic group (+73% since 1991).
- 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously consider suicide.
- Women attempt suicide at 3.5x the rate of men.
- Men die by suicide at 4x the rate of women.
- 55% of suicides involve a firearm.
- More people die from suicide than car accidents.
- Almost twice as many people die from suicide than homicide.
- 1 in 59 Americans have lost a loved one to suicide.
- A previous attempt is the strongest risk factor for suicide.
Based on most recent available data from CDC WISQARS, SAVE & Trevor Project
1
There is no single cause for suicide.
Suicide usually occurs when a person is in distress, overwhelmed, experiencing some form of mental health problem or personal crisis and is struggling to cope.
2
Suicide does not discriminate.
Suicide affects people of every age, race, gender, sexual identity, culture & socioeconomic background.
3
Suicide is an ambivalent act.
People who die by suicide are suffering and their coping mechanisms are overwhelmed. Most people who are suicidal do not want to die, but they can't deal with their pain.
For the majority, feeling actively suicidal temporary. Mental health support can help people manage suicidal feelings.
suicide can be prevented
INDIVIDUAL Learning the warning signs and risk factors for suicide, increasing protective factors like social support, and reducing access to lethal means can help save lives.
SOCIETY Structural forces like racism and other forms of social inequity can increase suicide risk and hurt suicide prevention efforts.
Expanding access to community support and mental health services, particularly in marginalized communities and increasing lethal means safety are critical steps to prevent suicide.
Culturally sensitive messaging & campaigns to raise community awareness help to break down taboos around mental health, suicide and can encourage individuals to seek out support and/or treatment.
Learn more about the scope of the problem, the factor that contribute to suicide and what we can do to help prevent it!
Expand Protective Factors
Lethal Means
Safety
Campaigns to Counter Stigma
know what to look for
learn the signs
While there is no single cause for suicide, there are some common characteristics to be aware of. The majority of people who attempt suicide do something or say something to let others know, before they act.
Learning the warning signs, risk and protective factors for suicide can help you recognize if you or someone you care about needs support.
