Summary
- The biggest cause of suicide is untreated depression or substance use.
- Take all talk of suicide seriously.
- You can only solve life’s problems alive.
Psychiatrist Gabriela Cora, MD, says she is sorry so many people are afraid to talk about suicide. When she talks to teens at suicide prevention programs, she asks if they would help a person sitting next to them who was choking. They all say yes. And, what about someone who might be having a heart attack? Again, they wouldn’t hesitate to help.
“It’s important to dispel the myths associated with suicide,” says Cora. “One is that [the risk of dying by] suicide is somehow different from choking or a heart attack or walking under a dangerous wire, but it is not.” The consequences of all three are the same. So, when someone needs help to stay alive, you give that help or find someone who can.
Here are a few myths and facts about suicide:
Myth 1: Most people who talk about completing suicide won’t do it. They really want someone to stop them.
Fact: Almost all people who take their own life talk or write about it first. It’s important to take such talk seriously. Yes, they want attention, but it is in the form of help. Help them get it.
Myth 2: It is dangerous to even say the word suicide around someone who has tried it. It might stir up bad memories.
Fact: No, you won’t stir up a person’s desire to kill themself by talking about it. In fact, you may even start a good conversation that will help. Talk is good. You might even learn something about your friend that will help you understand them better.
Myth 3: Only young people kill themselves.
Fact: Young people, ages 15-24, are at high risk. But, the risk for elderly people is even higher. One reason is the medication many people over age 65 take for various health issues that come with aging. Some prescription and over-the-counter meds cause symptoms of depression, which can start a person thinking about suicide. Depression is not a natural part of aging. It is diagnosable and treatable at any age. There is no reason for anyone to live with it.
Myth 4: Once people decide to kill themselves, there is nothing anyone can do to stop them.
Fact: Most people who try to take their own life do not want to die, just get rid of their emotional pain. Author Sue Blauner tried three times before she decided she really wanted to live. Learning how to live took time.
“When I was struggling, sometimes if I could talk to someone, it helped,” Blauner says. “When I thought about suicide, it wasn’t because I wanted to be dead; I just wanted to get rid of the pain.”
Myth 5: People die by suicide to hurt those around them.
Fact: While it is true that the aftereffects of a death by suicide in a family or workplace can be long-lasting and horrific, people usually kill themselves because they are depressed; because they make an impulsive choice while under the influence of drugs or alcohol; or are overwhelmed by anger, fear and hopelessness.
Blauner says the person is so wrapped up in their misery, they do not realize they are affecting other people.
Many times, a chemical imbalance leads someone to depression. This problem can be treated. When a person talks about suicide, they are putting out a signal of an underlying emotional health problem that is as clear as a cough or fever signaling an infection. If you hear someone express a desire to die by suicide, you should always take that talk seriously.
Myth 6: Most people never even think of suicide.
Fact: Every person alive faces ups and downs, successes and tragedies. That’s how life works. When bad things happen, it’s not unusual for someone to think about death, but very few think of it as a good option. If we have strong support systems, we can usually find ways out of our misery.
People who complete suicide are in so much pain, they have lost the hope their pain will ever go away. And, most believe no one will help them.
What are the major risk factors?
- Depression and/or substance use
- History of attempted suicide
- Family history of substance use or mental health problems
- Family history of suicide
- Domestic violence
- Firearms in the home
- Incarceration
- Exposure to suicidal behavior of others
- Lack of social support
Substance use raises the risk in many ways. First of all, alcohol is a depressant and so are many drugs people use to get high. Substance use can push a person into poor mental health by letting them slip into depression slowly. They may feel good while high, but crash after the drug wears off.
Second, because they use drugs or drinks, they may lose the support of those they need and love. Without the support of a family or friends, they may not be able to find their way through depression to get the help they need.
Third, mind-altering drugs lower a person’s inhibitions while they increase impulsiveness. They may do something that they would never do, if sober.
What other major risk factors are there for attempted suicide?
- Being male or elderly put you at highest risk
- Recent divorce or loss of a loved one
- Physical or sexual abuse
When we know the facts of suicide, we are better able to prevent it.
If you or your loved one are in a crisis and need help right away, call 988 any time, any day. Or go to the 988 Suicide & Crisis website. These 24-hour suicide prevention lifelines are free services, available to anyone. All calls are confidential.
Summary
- The biggest cause of suicide is untreated depression or substance use.
- Take all talk of suicide seriously.
- You can only solve life’s problems alive.
Psychiatrist Gabriela Cora, MD, says she is sorry so many people are afraid to talk about suicide. When she talks to teens at suicide prevention programs, she asks if they would help a person sitting next to them who was choking. They all say yes. And, what about someone who might be having a heart attack? Again, they wouldn’t hesitate to help.
“It’s important to dispel the myths associated with suicide,” says Cora. “One is that [the risk of dying by] suicide is somehow different from choking or a heart attack or walking under a dangerous wire, but it is not.” The consequences of all three are the same. So, when someone needs help to stay alive, you give that help or find someone who can.
Here are a few myths and facts about suicide:
Myth 1: Most people who talk about completing suicide won’t do it. They really want someone to stop them.
Fact: Almost all people who take their own life talk or write about it first. It’s important to take such talk seriously. Yes, they want attention, but it is in the form of help. Help them get it.
Myth 2: It is dangerous to even say the word suicide around someone who has tried it. It might stir up bad memories.
Fact: No, you won’t stir up a person’s desire to kill themself by talking about it. In fact, you may even start a good conversation that will help. Talk is good. You might even learn something about your friend that will help you understand them better.
Myth 3: Only young people kill themselves.
Fact: Young people, ages 15-24, are at high risk. But, the risk for elderly people is even higher. One reason is the medication many people over age 65 take for various health issues that come with aging. Some prescription and over-the-counter meds cause symptoms of depression, which can start a person thinking about suicide. Depression is not a natural part of aging. It is diagnosable and treatable at any age. There is no reason for anyone to live with it.
Myth 4: Once people decide to kill themselves, there is nothing anyone can do to stop them.
Fact: Most people who try to take their own life do not want to die, just get rid of their emotional pain. Author Sue Blauner tried three times before she decided she really wanted to live. Learning how to live took time.
“When I was struggling, sometimes if I could talk to someone, it helped,” Blauner says. “When I thought about suicide, it wasn’t because I wanted to be dead; I just wanted to get rid of the pain.”
Myth 5: People die by suicide to hurt those around them.
Fact: While it is true that the aftereffects of a death by suicide in a family or workplace can be long-lasting and horrific, people usually kill themselves because they are depressed; because they make an impulsive choice while under the influence of drugs or alcohol; or are overwhelmed by anger, fear and hopelessness.
Blauner says the person is so wrapped up in their misery, they do not realize they are affecting other people.
Many times, a chemical imbalance leads someone to depression. This problem can be treated. When a person talks about suicide, they are putting out a signal of an underlying emotional health problem that is as clear as a cough or fever signaling an infection. If you hear someone express a desire to die by suicide, you should always take that talk seriously.
Myth 6: Most people never even think of suicide.
Fact: Every person alive faces ups and downs, successes and tragedies. That’s how life works. When bad things happen, it’s not unusual for someone to think about death, but very few think of it as a good option. If we have strong support systems, we can usually find ways out of our misery.
People who complete suicide are in so much pain, they have lost the hope their pain will ever go away. And, most believe no one will help them.
What are the major risk factors?
- Depression and/or substance use
- History of attempted suicide
- Family history of substance use or mental health problems
- Family history of suicide
- Domestic violence
- Firearms in the home
- Incarceration
- Exposure to suicidal behavior of others
- Lack of social support
Substance use raises the risk in many ways. First of all, alcohol is a depressant and so are many drugs people use to get high. Substance use can push a person into poor mental health by letting them slip into depression slowly. They may feel good while high, but crash after the drug wears off.
Second, because they use drugs or drinks, they may lose the support of those they need and love. Without the support of a family or friends, they may not be able to find their way through depression to get the help they need.
Third, mind-altering drugs lower a person’s inhibitions while they increase impulsiveness. They may do something that they would never do, if sober.
What other major risk factors are there for attempted suicide?
- Being male or elderly put you at highest risk
- Recent divorce or loss of a loved one
- Physical or sexual abuse
When we know the facts of suicide, we are better able to prevent it.
If you or your loved one are in a crisis and need help right away, call 988 any time, any day. Or go to the 988 Suicide & Crisis website. These 24-hour suicide prevention lifelines are free services, available to anyone. All calls are confidential.
Summary
- The biggest cause of suicide is untreated depression or substance use.
- Take all talk of suicide seriously.
- You can only solve life’s problems alive.
Psychiatrist Gabriela Cora, MD, says she is sorry so many people are afraid to talk about suicide. When she talks to teens at suicide prevention programs, she asks if they would help a person sitting next to them who was choking. They all say yes. And, what about someone who might be having a heart attack? Again, they wouldn’t hesitate to help.
“It’s important to dispel the myths associated with suicide,” says Cora. “One is that [the risk of dying by] suicide is somehow different from choking or a heart attack or walking under a dangerous wire, but it is not.” The consequences of all three are the same. So, when someone needs help to stay alive, you give that help or find someone who can.
Here are a few myths and facts about suicide:
Myth 1: Most people who talk about completing suicide won’t do it. They really want someone to stop them.
Fact: Almost all people who take their own life talk or write about it first. It’s important to take such talk seriously. Yes, they want attention, but it is in the form of help. Help them get it.
Myth 2: It is dangerous to even say the word suicide around someone who has tried it. It might stir up bad memories.
Fact: No, you won’t stir up a person’s desire to kill themself by talking about it. In fact, you may even start a good conversation that will help. Talk is good. You might even learn something about your friend that will help you understand them better.
Myth 3: Only young people kill themselves.
Fact: Young people, ages 15-24, are at high risk. But, the risk for elderly people is even higher. One reason is the medication many people over age 65 take for various health issues that come with aging. Some prescription and over-the-counter meds cause symptoms of depression, which can start a person thinking about suicide. Depression is not a natural part of aging. It is diagnosable and treatable at any age. There is no reason for anyone to live with it.
Myth 4: Once people decide to kill themselves, there is nothing anyone can do to stop them.
Fact: Most people who try to take their own life do not want to die, just get rid of their emotional pain. Author Sue Blauner tried three times before she decided she really wanted to live. Learning how to live took time.
“When I was struggling, sometimes if I could talk to someone, it helped,” Blauner says. “When I thought about suicide, it wasn’t because I wanted to be dead; I just wanted to get rid of the pain.”
Myth 5: People die by suicide to hurt those around them.
Fact: While it is true that the aftereffects of a death by suicide in a family or workplace can be long-lasting and horrific, people usually kill themselves because they are depressed; because they make an impulsive choice while under the influence of drugs or alcohol; or are overwhelmed by anger, fear and hopelessness.
Blauner says the person is so wrapped up in their misery, they do not realize they are affecting other people.
Many times, a chemical imbalance leads someone to depression. This problem can be treated. When a person talks about suicide, they are putting out a signal of an underlying emotional health problem that is as clear as a cough or fever signaling an infection. If you hear someone express a desire to die by suicide, you should always take that talk seriously.
Myth 6: Most people never even think of suicide.
Fact: Every person alive faces ups and downs, successes and tragedies. That’s how life works. When bad things happen, it’s not unusual for someone to think about death, but very few think of it as a good option. If we have strong support systems, we can usually find ways out of our misery.
People who complete suicide are in so much pain, they have lost the hope their pain will ever go away. And, most believe no one will help them.
What are the major risk factors?
- Depression and/or substance use
- History of attempted suicide
- Family history of substance use or mental health problems
- Family history of suicide
- Domestic violence
- Firearms in the home
- Incarceration
- Exposure to suicidal behavior of others
- Lack of social support
Substance use raises the risk in many ways. First of all, alcohol is a depressant and so are many drugs people use to get high. Substance use can push a person into poor mental health by letting them slip into depression slowly. They may feel good while high, but crash after the drug wears off.
Second, because they use drugs or drinks, they may lose the support of those they need and love. Without the support of a family or friends, they may not be able to find their way through depression to get the help they need.
Third, mind-altering drugs lower a person’s inhibitions while they increase impulsiveness. They may do something that they would never do, if sober.
What other major risk factors are there for attempted suicide?
- Being male or elderly put you at highest risk
- Recent divorce or loss of a loved one
- Physical or sexual abuse
When we know the facts of suicide, we are better able to prevent it.
If you or your loved one are in a crisis and need help right away, call 988 any time, any day. Or go to the 988 Suicide & Crisis website. These 24-hour suicide prevention lifelines are free services, available to anyone. All calls are confidential.