Common Misconceptions about Suicide
Suicide is a complex mental issue that affects millions of people globally
Suicide is a complex mental issue that affects millions of people globally. Suicide refers to death caused by self-injurious behaviors with the intent to die. In 2022, there were over 49,000 deaths by suicide in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). According to the World Health Organization, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death globally in the 15-29 age group (WHO, 2021). There are multiple risk factors identified in self-harming behaviors such as suicide (McEvoy et al., 2023).
Psychological risk factors: Various psychological factors pose a risk for the emergence and continuation of self-harming behaviors such as suicide. Anxiety and mood problems such as anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder, especially depression, create a high risk for self-injurious behaviors. Personality characteristics such as poor emotion regulation skills, high impulsivity, low self-esteem, and perfectionist characteristics are also factors in the emergence of self-harm behaviors.
Behavioral risk factors: Research shows that substance and alcohol use is a significant risk factor for self-harming behavior. Also, previous suicide attempts increase the likelihood of self-harm or suicide attempts.
Environmental and social risk factors: Poor family and social relationships, harsh and oppressive attitudes of the parents of adolescents and young adults, as well as discrimination or racism in the society in which the person lives because of their sexual identity or orientation, beliefs, or values are risk factors that motivate self-harming behaviors.
Adverse life events: Experiences of traumatic events, especially neglect and sexual abuse in childhood, parental divorce, bullying, especially among adolescents and young adults, problems in partner relationships, and separation may lead to the emergence of self-harming behaviors
Despite its prevalence, suicide is still surrounded by stigma, misconceptions, and a lack of open dialogue, making it difficult for those who are struggling to seek help or for loved ones to recognize warning signs and offer support. Here are a few common myths about suicide, along with corrections that aim to foster understanding and address misunderstandings and stigma about this critical topic.
Myth 1: Talking About Suicide: “If I ask someone about this topic, will it plant the idea in their mind?”
This is a question many people fear, but it’s rooted in a myth. The truth is, asking someone about suicide doesn’t make them more likely to attempt it. It can be actually life-saving. Imagine a person silently carrying despair, believing no one cares enough to notice. When you ask directly, it shows you care deeply. Research shows that asking about suicide and assessing the risk of suicide decreases an individual’s risk of attempting suicide.
Myth 2: Suicide is a Weakness: “Only weak people think about suicide, right?”
Another common misconception about suicide is that only certain kinds of individuals live with and experience thoughts of suicide. This misconception couldn't be further from the truth. Suicide doesn’t discriminate. It touches people across all walks of life, regardless of age, race, or social standing. Strength and weakness don’t factor into mental health struggles. For example, over 13 million Americans have thought about suicide at some point in their lives. Recognizing this can help us approach others with compassion and understanding rather than judgment.
Myth 3: Attention Seeking: "Are they just saying this for attention?"
People often believe that individuals who live with suicide ideation or attempt suicide are doing so for some sort of attention. Imagine feeling so overwhelmed and unheard that the only way to express your pain is by speaking about suicide. People who live with thoughts of suicide may share their thoughts and feelings with others in hopes of receiving help or support. It’s not about seeking attention; it’s about seeking help. As mentioned, talking about suicide saves lives. It’s essential to take any expression of suicide seriously.
Myth 4: Nothing Can Be Done: “If someone is determined, can we really stop them?”
This myth often stems from feelings of helplessness. It’s easy to believe that we cannot change the course of someone’s pain, but that’s simply not true. Imagine a friend walking through a storm without an umbrella. You may not be able to stop the rain, but you can walk beside them, sharing your umbrella to make the journey easier. Many things can be done in order to avoid suicide, which include:
Checking in on loved ones.
Asking about suicide.
Listen to people and share your support for them.
Encouraging people to seek support.
Providing referrals for support, such as the Crisis Lifeline.
In urgent situations, contacting local authorities can be necessary.
Myth 5: Warning Signs: “They don’t show any signs, do they?”
The truth is, there are often warning signs—subtle and overt—that someone is struggling. Imagine a loved one unexpectedly calling to say goodbye or talking about feeling like a burden. These moments, though sometimes fleeting, offer an opportunity to intervene. Paying attention and acting on these signs could save a life. These can include:
Increased substance use
Social withdrawal or isolation
Mood shifts (e.g., aggression, irritability, numbness)
Talking about death, dying, or suicide
Fatigue, exhaustion, sleeping too much (or too little)
Calling people to say goodbye
Giving away possessions
Myth 6: Repeat Attempts: "If they’ve tried before, they probably won’t do it again, right?"
Another common misconception is that if someone attempts suicide, they are less likely to try again. People who have attempted suicide are not only more likely to attempt suicide again. Furthermore, The individual may identify barriers from a previous effort or identity.
Think of someone who has navigated a storm and now knows the path they once took. They may feel drawn to it again. This is why ongoing support, empathy, and professional help are crucial.
Help is Available
If you are someone you know is living with suicidal thoughts, please know that help is available!
Suicide Lifeline (online chat)
Suicide Lifeline (text or call - 988)
Trevor Project (online chat, call, or text)
Trans Lifeline
Mental health Therapists
Immediate family members, support persons, trusted loved ones
Call local authorities in urgent situations
How can Therapy Help?
Suicidal behavior is the most extreme form of self-harming behavior. All self-harming behaviors often occur as a result of people's difficulty in coping with problems. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is effective in ending self-harming ideations and suicidal thoughts and in providing the person with coping skills. Within the scope of the therapy, it is aimed to give the person various skills to solve the problems that the person has difficulty coping with. The person is empowered in areas such as building self-confidence and communication skills. Thus, therapy aims to enable the person to cope with new problems they may encounter without needing therapy. In addition to gaining coping skills, the primary goal of the treatment is to teach emotional regulation. In addition, efforts are also made to reduce impulsivity by helping the person gain the ability to stay away from the situations, tools, and people around them that push them towards harmful behaviors. Therapy aims to encourage healthy behaviors and coping mechanisms instead of self-harm and suicidal behaviors (Mewton et al., 2016).
Takeaways:
Suicide is a significant public health issue globally and is influenced by a range of psychological, behavioral, environmental, and social risk factors.
Despite its prevalence, suicide is still surrounded by stigma and misconceptions. This makes it difficult for individuals to seek help or for others to provide support.
Talking openly about suicide and asking questions does not increase the risk but instead reduces it and fosters understanding.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective approach to reducing self-harming behaviors and suicidal thoughts by teaching coping skills and emotional regulation.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Suicide data and statistics. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/suicide
World Health Organization. (2021). Suicide. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide
McEvoy, D., Brannigan, R., Cooke, L., Butler, E., Walsh, C., Arensman, E., & Clarke, M. (2023). Risk and protective factors for self-harm in adolescents and young adults: an umbrella review of systematic reviews. Journal of psychiatric research.
Mewton, L., & Andrews, G. (2016). Cognitive behavioral therapy for suicidal behaviors: improving patient outcomes. Psychology research and behavior management, 21-29.