Have you ever been concerned that a person may be suicidal?
It is a common belief that suicide only affects individuals with mental health conditions. If that is not a diagnosis, should you worry?
Myth – Talking about suicide will lead to and encourage suicide.
Fact – Talking about it openly can help the person feel listened to, validated in their feelings and cared about. Suicide is isolating and talking about it helps the person feel less alone.
Myth – Most suicides happen in the winter months.
Fact – Spring and early summer months tend to have a higher rate of suicide.
Myth – Suicide only affects individuals with mental health conditions.
Fact – Life stressors such as the death of a loved one, chronic pain, trauma, abuse, loss of job, loss of home, rejection, medical trauma are some examples of situations that can be associated with suicidal thoughts and attempts.
Myth – People who talk about suicide are just looking for attention.
Fact – It is a way to ask for help without directly asking. This can be a sign that the person is in enough pain that they no longer see a future for themselves, or that they are in so much pain that they don’t know what else to do.
Myth – Suicide always occurs without warning.
Fact – Here are common warning signs:
- The recent suicide, or death by other means, of a friend or relative
- Previous suicide attempts
- Preoccupation with themes of death or expressing suicidal thoughts
- Depression, conduct disorder and problems with adjustment such as substance abuse, particularly when two or more of these are present
- Giving away prized possessions/ making a will or other final arrangements
- Major changes in sleep patterns – too much or too little
- Sudden and extreme changes in eating habits/ losing or gaining weight
- Withdrawal from friends/ family or other major behavioral changes
- Dropping out of group activities
- Personality changes such as nervousness, outbursts of anger, impulsive or reckless behavior, or apathy about appearance or health
- Frequent irritability or unexplained crying
- Lingering expressions of unworthiness or failure
- Lack of interest in the future
- A sudden lifting of spirits, when there have been other indicators, may point to a decision to end the pain of life through suicide
Myth – The risk is over when you see a sudden improvement of a person who has had a suicidal crisis or depressive episode.
Fact – A young person is at the highest risk for about 3 months after a suicide attempt. With or without an attempt, a sudden shift in mood could indicate relief from their pain because they have made the decision to die by suicide.
Myth– People who are suicidal want to die.
Fact – Most people don’t actually want to die, the just want the pain to stop. This is a critical distinction – just because the person doesn’t see a way to decrease/manage/stop the pain, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Once the pain is dealt with, the desire to die typically ends.
Myth-The promise to keep a note unopened and unread should always be kept.
Fact– A sealed note can be a red flag that the person is struggling and in pain. The need to keep a person safe always overrides a promise of confidentiality.
Learn more at our website: MegsLegacyofHope.org
