Myths Being Debunked and Facts about Suicide

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Aarya Patil
MSc. FY Applied Psychology 

“Help! Help! It was someone screaming, I looked behind and saw no one was there. I heard the same scream again but this time I did not look back, because I knew, I was familiar with this voice, it was the voice within me, suffocating but it wanted to speak.” Let’s understand the myths about suicide and debunk them instead of feeling suffocated. 1) “Individuals who have a mental health condition are the only ones affected by suicidal ideations and attempts”, that’s not true - anyone out there without a mental health condition can be affected by suicidal thoughts - so keep checking in on your loved one’s or anyone you know of displaying signs.



 2) “People who talk about suicide are attention seekers”, When we are physically hurt, like if we have scrapped our knee or bleeding through our lips, don’t we ask for help readily? Just because suicidal thoughts are not physically present, people often assume it’s just for attention seeking, do not do that, asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

 3) “Once someone decides to die, nothing can stop them”. Communication is the most important factor while evaluating this myth. People often believe that keeping their feelings within themselves is better and that they don’t want to burden others. Talking to someone you trust or reaching out through suicide prevention helplines when someone is contemplating suicide should be taken into consideration. 


4) “Suicide runs in families, so it can’t be prevented.” While genetics may play a role as a risk factor, it is not the only reason why anyone would attempt suicide. It can also be due to the levels of stress one goes through, unhealthy sleeping and eating patterns and other factors so solely relying on family is a myth. 

5) “Suicidal people want to die”. Individuals with suicidal ideation, more often than not, want to end their pain/suffering, not necessarily their life. This conflict can be resolved when one can understand the nature of them wanting to end everything once and for all. 



Now that we have gained knowledge about myths, let's dive into the facts that will help you in the long run. 

1) Suicide affects all age group- This stands true, be it young people or the older adults, suicide does not bind anyone specific. 

2) Talking about suicide openly saves lives- Reducing instead of increasing the chances of someone attempting suicide can be seen when awareness is spread through right medium of channels, maybe through seminars or through workshops. 

3) Warning signs are usually present before suicide attempts- the signs which include feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, hopelessness, talking about death, and withdrawal from social interactions and usual interests. 

4) Prior suicide attempt(s) is one of the strongest risk factors. Prevent that person from attempting again by giving them the proper care, catering to their needs, future attempts can be prevented. 



5) Surviving family members not only suffer the trauma of losing a loved one to suicide but they may also be at higher risk for suicide and emotional problems. So taking care of yourself should always be prioritized and if you or anyone you know is going through such thoughts, hope this blog helps you in a positive way by debunking the myths about suicide and actually understanding the facts.


References


  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Suicide prevention: Risk and protective factors. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/risk-factors

  1. Stanley, B., & Brown, G. K. (2012). Safety planning intervention: A brief intervention to mitigate suicide risk. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 19(2), 256–264.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1077722911000630?via%3Dihub

  1. World Health Organization. (2021). Suicide worldwide in 2019: Global health estimates. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240026643

World Health Organization. (2023). Suicide. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide

  1. Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (2020). Suicide prevention myths and facts. Education Development Center. 

https://sprc.org/



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