We Need to Talk About Suicide

This past week I wrapped up teaching the course Suicide Assessment and Treatment at Fordham Graduate School of Social Service. A class devoted to suicide has finally been added to several Social Work course menus. The educational experience is dedicated to understanding suicide, including its history, the varying assumptions and biases, the stigma, recognizing risk factors and warning signs, studying evidenced-based interventions, and finally how to respond to its aftermath. It’s a bit intense, especially for summer semester.

The class was at full on-campus capacity. I think that says something.

Students have questions, as many of us do, about why people die by suicide.

That’s not an easy question to answer, partially because measuring suicide rates among our diverse U.S. population is a complex challenge.

One way of quelling some of the many questions around suicide is to dispel some of the myths that seem to persist. Let’s take a look…

MYTH: Talking about suicide will give someone the idea to kill themselves.

Providing space to talk about suicide will not cause suicidal thoughts or behavior. Asking directly about suicide can demonstrate that there are people willing to listen.

MYTH: Most suicide deaths are impulsive, sudden acts.

Most suicides are pre-meditated, which is why inviting someone to share their thoughts about not wanting to live can help make a supportive and collaborative intervention possible.

MYTH: Those who talk about suicide are determined to die.

Those who consider suicide may at times want to die, and at other times want to live, however the pain they are in can make living seem impossible.

MYTH: People who attempt or die by suicide are selfish by taking the easy way out.

People who attempt or die by suicide usually feel that they are an immense burden on others and rationalize that they can alleviate that burden by taking their own life.

MYTH: Younger people are more at risk of dying by suicide than older adults.

The highest rate of death by suicide continues to be among male adults over age 65. (Youth and females tend to have a higher rate of non-lethal suicide attempts.)

MYTH: There is nothing we can do to stop a suicide.

There are several things we can do. One key action that can be taken to prevent harm of self (or others) is to put more space between those at risk and lethal means, such as firearms (the most common lethal method).

These are just some of the myths that can skew how we view suicide. Consider your own attitudes and assumptions and how you may be able to help contribute to de-stigmatizing this important public health issue that impacts 80-85% of us. The ripple effect is real.

Now until the Fall semester…

If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Help is available 24/7.