4 Misconceptions About Suicide And How to Help

On  today’s topic, we won’t be making long talks, but rather jump straight into the misconceptions about suicide.

Here we go:

1.  "People who talk about it won't do it."

Suicide threats should always be taken seriously. The truth is that few individuals are single-minded in their decision to kill themselves, many are asking for help even as they contemplate suicide.

2. "People who really want to kill themselves are beyond help."

Fortunately, this is not the case. Suicidal impulses may be intense but short-lived. The majority of individuals who are suicidal even for extended periods recover and can benefit from treatment.

3. "Suicide is a purely personal decision."

This argument is sometimes used to justify a "hands-off" attitude. It is a misconception, because suicide doesn't just affect the person who dies; it affects others also.

4. "Asking about suicide can put the idea in someone's mind."

Research proves that asking someone about suicide will not "put the idea in their head." In fact, many people having suicidal thoughts often feel relieved when someone asks. Suicidal individuals are engaged in a private struggle with thoughts of death. Talking about the possibility of suicide can alleviate the loneliness of the struggle and can be a first step in obtaining help.

How Can I Help a Depressed Person?

It helps to listen in a way that shows you care and empathize. This does not mean entering into the person's despair. 

However, here are a few pointers 

       ·         avoid minimizing the person's pain or making comments like "Everything's fine" or "Your life is good”, ‘’you have no reason to feel suicidal!" Try saying something like "I can see how despondent you feel, but I believe things can get better" or "I hear you”, I want to help." 

      ·         Advice should be simple and practical; for example, "Let's go for a walk and talk more" or "I am here for you, but you need more professional advice; let's look up some numbers together."

Change can be slow. Trying to help someone who is depressed and is not responding to your attempts can be frustrating and anxiety provoking. It's important to take care of yourself and get support, too. If you don't take care of yourself, you may burn out, feel angry, or give up on the person. It is a good idea to seek help and support well before you reach this point.

NOTE: If a person is expressing that they have suicidal thoughts or you see signs of possible suicidality, it's important to take it seriously. Sometimes, a suicidal person may ask you to keep their situation a secret. It can be tempting to promise to keep this secret and/or to take on the burden of supporting them all on your own; however, these are not good ideas. Consider the possible consequences of failing to get the person professional help. It is a sign of caring to get help for someone who is at risk of killing themselves, even if it makes them angry at you.

HELP: If you are unsure of what to do, you can reach out to me.