Suicide Myths
Here is a list of suicide myths and the truth behind these myths.
| Myths | Truths |
|---|---|
| People who commit suicide always leave notes. | Most people don't leave notes. Only a small percentage leave any type of explanations about why they've chosen to kill themselves. |
| People who commit suicide don't warn others. | Out of ten people who kill themselves, eight have given definite clues to their intentions. They leave numerous clues and warnings to others, although some of their clues may be non-verbal or difficult to detect. |
| People who talk about suicide are only trying to get attention. | Few commit suicide without first letting someone else know how they feel. People thinking about suicide give clues and warnings as cries for help. Over 70% who do threaten to kill themselves either make an attempt or complete the act. |
| Once someone has already decided to commit suicide, nothing is going to stop them. | Most of the time suicidal people are ambivalent about committing suicide. Most individuals don't want to die; they just want the pain they are feeling to stop. |
| Once the emotional state improves, the risk of suicide is over. | The highest rates of suicide occur within about three months of an apparent improvement in a severely depressed state. Energy level is the important factor in someone who's improving having the energy to act on a suicidal impulse, if they perceive a stumbling block to recovery. |
| After a person has attempted suicide, it is unlikely they will try again. | People who have attempted suicide are very likely to try again. 80% of people who commit suicide have made at least one previous attempt. |
| Don't mention suicide to someone who's showing signs of severe depression; it will plant the idea in their mind and they will act on it. | Many depressed people have already considered suicide as an option. Talking about suicide generally provides a sense of relief and understanding to the person. Talking about suicide is one of the most helpful things you can do. |
| An unsuccessful attempt means that the person wasn't serious about ending their life. | Some people are naive about how to kill themselves. The attempt in and of itself is the most important factor not the method. |
Read more about this topic: Suicidology
Famous quotes containing the words suicide and/or myths:
“If you are of the opinion that the contemplation of suicide is sufficient evidence of a poetic nature, do not forget that actions speak louder than words.”
—Fran Lebowitz (b. 1951)
“What passes for identity in America is a series of myths about one’s heroic ancestors. It’s astounding to me, for example, that so many people really seem to believe that the country was founded by a band of heroes who wanted to be free. That happens not to be true. What happened was that some people left Europe because they couldn’t stay there any longer and had to go someplace else to make it. They were hungry, they were poor, they were convicts.”
—James Baldwin (1924–1987)