Suicide Awareness Month: Common Misconceptions
With September being Suicide Awareness Month, we have an opportunity to shine light on a difficult topic that is often invisible, but increasingly common in our society. Even with increased awareness around suicide, many common misconceptions still persist, sometimes making those struggling with suicide feel alienated, alone, or deficient. With that in mind, let’s talk about and challenge some of the most common myths about suicide, and learn some tools to identify its threats.
Myth #1: Suicide is rare
In 2021, 12.3 million adults in the U.S. seriously thought about taking their own life. That’s about 1 in every 30 adults. Of those people, 1.7 million attempted, and 48,183 people took their own lives, which is 12% higher than in 2012. That’s one death by suicide every 11 minutes. Suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S., and was the third most common cause for individuals aged 15 to 24 years old. Furthermore, 1 in 5 Gen Z highschool students report having seriously considered suicide, suggesting the risk is higher for our younger generation than ever before. With these staggering statistics, it is safe to say that suicide prevention is something that can no longer remain hidden from the public eye. Today, it is almost inevitable that we all have been affected by suicide in one way or another.
Myth #2: Talking about suicide increases someone’s likelihood of taking their own life
Something you may hear from others, or possibly a thought you have yourself, is that it’s difficult to talk about suicide with someone you’re worried about because of the fear of “putting the idea” in their head. It’s natural to feel uneasy about having that difficult discussion, and that unease can come from a place of genuine concern and a desire to be sensitive. In reality, numerous studies have shown that having open discussions about suicide does not increase risk, and in fact may even reduce the likelihood that someone will take their life. If you’re concerned about someone you love, don’t be afraid to check in with them in a direct way. It is far more likely that they would appreciate your concern rather than being upset at the question. If you don’t know where to start, here are some examples of questions that you can ask to someone you’re concerned about.
“I know that things have been hard lately. What goes on for you when you feel the most down?”
“Do you ever have thoughts that it’d be better if you weren’t here?”
“Have you thought about taking your own life?”
“When was the last time you had those thoughts?” “Did you think about how you would take your life?” “Did you come up with a plan?”
It’s important to remember to ask these questions in a non-confrontational, inviting way, so that the person you’re concerned about feels safe sharing with you. People who are considering suicide often feel alone. Reaching out a helping hand may be the lifeline that they need to pull themselves up. If they confirm that they’re currently having thoughts of ending their life, and have considered a plan, it is advisable to seek immediate help. Keep in mind, if you’re not a mental health professional, that it’s okay to feel lost or confused on how to help. If that’s the case, feel free to reach out by using the resources mentioned at the end of this post.
Myth #3: There is no hope
For every story of tragedy having to do with suicide, there are dozens of stories of hope. Most people who consider suicide at some point in their lives end up as “suicide survivors,” having pulled themselves out of the dark place that they used to be in. In fact, it’s highly likely that someone in your life was once in that dark place themself. As human beings, we are resilient and capable of healing, especially when surrounded by supportive communities. If you struggle with thoughts of ending your life, it’s okay if sometimes that resilience doesn’t feel like enough; there are things that can help.
Let someone know how you’re feeling: It can be scary to show your most vulnerable side to someone else and not know how they’ll react. When possible, pick someone who you trust to support you and act in a calm way. If you’re a young person, it’s most helpful to let a trusted adult know what you’re going through.
Seek therapy: As mental health professionals, one of our biggest responsibilities is helping in the fight against suicide. Discussing your suicidal thoughts with your therapist can be very helpful in allowing you to process your feelings, coming up with a safety plan, and coming up with ways to overcome whatever struggle is affecting your life. Studies have shown that therapy works, reducing suicidal ideation by 55%, and attempts by as much as 37%.
If you or someone you know is in an emergency situation, call for help: Calling 911 or 988 anytime will connect you with someone who is equipped to help in case of emergency. Making that call can be hard, but keeping yourself safe is the top priority.
All of the things listed above are things that we can do on an individual level to help those struggling with suicide. It’s worth noting that there are also things that can be done on a societal level to decrease the stressors and negative forces that can cause one to consider ending their life in the first place. People in marginalized racial groups are disproportionately more likely to consider suicide than their counterparts. People in the LGBTQ+ community have higher suicide rates, especially when combined with childhood bullying. Men are almost 4 times more likely than women to die by suicide. This data makes us take a look in the mirror and ask, why are these populations more heavily affected? The answers are complicated and unique to the individual, but in general, things like access to healthcare and mental healthcare, financial concerns, discrimination, and societal expectations all negatively affect mental health outcomes. By supporting groups, movements, and policies that eliminate some of these factors, together, we can reduce our society’s vulnerabilities to suicide. In a large sense, the best thing we can do is to try to be as good to each other as possible.
If you or someone you know is in a psychiatric emergency, please call 911 or 988 for immediate help. If you’d like to start with one of our therapists about managing the things in your life that cause distress, you can start your journey at the button below.