World Suicide Prevention Day – 10th September
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is hosted on the 10th of September each year and was established by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in 2003 in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO). WSPD provides the opportunity for people, across the globe, to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention. Death by suicide can and does affect people from all backgrounds, however in this short awareness piece, we are looking at some of the myths surrounding suicide, in aim of this year’s theme “Creating Hope Through Action,” which is a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and aims to inspire confidence and light in all of us.
Some of these myths include:
1. “Suicide happens without warning” – False
Having lost friends in the past to Suicide, we know that this is false. According to MHFA England studies show that in the lead up to the suicidal persons death, there will be warning signs and clues, such as changes in social media profiles and coded words being used, or the person becoming quiet, distant, acting recklessly, or even saying negative things about themselves. These signs act as warnings and indications of the persons suicidal intentions. Being alert of these changes, which can be interpreted as cries for help and acting on them, may prevent suicidal behaviour from occurring.
2. “Once a person is considering suicide, there is nothing you can do.”
This is also another false myth. Even though most suicidal crises are time-limited and based on unclear thinking at that moment, solutions can be found with the help of concerned individuals, who may be able to support them through the crisis period, until they are able to think more clearly. If you think someone is suicidal and you may not be sure, it is suggested, firstly to encourage them to talk about how they are feeling and even though you may not know what to say and have never been in that position before, you can ask them directly, “Are you thinking about suicide?” or “Are you having thoughts of ending your life?” (1)
3. “Myth – People who talk about suicide don’t complete suicide.”
According to MHFA eight out of ten people who have taken their own lives give definite warning signs of their suicidal intentions, therefore just as we debunked myth 1, people who make suicidal attempts and threats must be taken seriously.
A final note on language – What to use and what not to use
Don’t use ‘committed suicide’ or ‘completed suicide’. The term committed suicide implies a level of criminality while completed suicide implies earlier attempts when there may have been none. Both terms therefore perpetuate the stigma associated with suicide and therefore careful thought should be given to what is used. This is also important because as much as possible, you are trying to use words that reduce the distress to bereaved family and friends, or that sensationalises suicide (2). Instead of using both terms, use ‘died by suicide’ or ‘death by suicide’.
Remember, for this year’s theme on ‘Creating Hope Through Action’, we can all encourage a deeper understanding of some of the myths that circulate around suicide and reach out to those who may be struggling, through our ability to recognise the signs. This alone may, be a major intervention in the prevention of suicide for those we care about, whether friends, family, colleagues or that stranger who is in need of help.
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