Suicide prevention and life promotion are sometimes done by flushing out the myths, beliefs and prejudices that circulate on the subject. Indeed, the way in which one approaches the phenomenon is of much greater importance than one might think. To help advance the reflection and test your critical thinking skills, following are some examples of misconceptions about the phenomenon of suicide.
- Talking about suicide encourages suicide: FALSE
This is a fear which may initially appear legitimate, but which turns out to be unfounded. Generally speaking, talking about suicide without taboos opens the door for those in pain to express their distress more easily. While it can be difficult, even frightening, to bring up the subject of suicide with those close to you, it is always the best way to directly verify whether someone is contemplating suicide. Furthermore, revealing that you are thinking about suicide can be extremely difficult, either out of fear of becoming a burden on those around us, or through ignorance of what lies ahead. Talking openly about suicide helps normalize the phenomenon and reduce the prejudices surrounding it.
In other words, the more we talk about suicide prevention and life promotion, the less difficult it is for those who are suffering to find out about existing resources and to seek help.
- Those who talk about it won’t do it: FALSE
It is sometimes mistakenly said that those who threaten to commit suicide are doing so to gain attention or to manipulate those around them. However, the reality is quite different since the literature on the subject suggests that the majority of suicidal individuals manifest their suicidal intention before taking action. Talking about distress or suicidal ideation is a cry for help and should always be taken seriously. Verbal cues can be direct or indirect, and their meaning is always worth clarifying with the person. It is important not to be alone, and not to keep a secret when it comes to suicidal ideation.
- Only mental health professionals can help suicidal people: FALSE
We all have our role to play when it comes to suicide prevention, regardless of our level of knowledge on the subject. In general, we can empathize and try to be there for those who are going through a difficult time. More concretely, it is possible to be on the lookout for signs of distress in those around us, and to open a dialogue about suicide. If you want to get more involved in your community, you can find out about the resources available in suicide prevention near you in order to refer individuals in need. Moreover, there are training courses dedicated to the creation of a network of citizens who wish to play a role in suicide prevention (Gatekeeper for Suicide Prevention).
- Suicide happens without warning: FALSE
The act of suicide is not spontaneous and is always accompanied by warning signs. However, it is possible to experience difficulty in terms of detecting the signs of distress that the person shows, either through ignorance of them or due to your relationship with the person. In any case, it is important to understand that the person who is thinking about suicide will necessarily go through physical, cognitive or emotional changes.
- Anyone who is suicidal appears depressed: FALSE
Although a suicidal person is going through a difficult time, they may not necessarily have the symptoms usually associated with depression. Some suicidal individuals tend to want to invest more in their daily activities or are able to maintain their good mood to avoid worrying those around them. This is why it can be difficult to detect the presence of suicidal ideation without asking the question directly.
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So, do these answers surprise you?
Speaking openly and adequately about suicide helps break these stigmas that endure while curbing the harmful consequences of these misconceptions.
If you or someone you love is thinking about suicide, don’t be alone. Here are some resources that can help you:
- 1-866-APPELLE
- Suicide.ca/en (chat)
- Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310
- Social services in your community