Myths about Suicidal Behaviour
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the world and is a serious public health problem. However, suicide is preventable, and, with the right information and training, we can all help someone with thoughts of suicide stay safe.
Unfortunately, suicide remains a taboo topic. The stigma around it prevents understanding of the wider issues associated with suicide and how to recognise the signs that someone may be at risk of suicidal behaviour.
The Suicide First Aid (SFA) Understanding Suicide Intervention course teaches suicide intervention skills that will help to support those with suicidal thoughts. The half-day or one day virtual training courses provide the knowledge needed to identify someone who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts and pass the person on to a suicide first aider.
Understanding the facts about suicide could save a life.
Myths about suicide:
1. People who have suicidal thoughts want to die
Most people who have suicidal thoughts don’t want to die; they don’t want to live the life they have. They may be struggling to cope with the pain they are experiencing and are searching for a way to make it stop. Often, people who are thinking about suicide are ambivalent about living or dying, or they want to live but can’t find a way to. This is why supporting people with suicidal thoughts is so vital to helping them stay safe.
2. If a person is serious about taking their own life, there’s nothing you can do
Often, feeling actively suicidal is temporary, which is why getting help and support at the right time is so important. Understanding that suicide is preventable, and knowing where to refer those with suicidal thoughts to so they can get the help they need, is crucial to keeping people safe.
3. You have to be living with a mental illness to have suicidal thoughts
Not all people who die from suicide have mental health problems at the time of their death. Though clinical depression does increase the risk of suicide, there are many other risk factors such as alcohol and substance misuse, deprivation, loss of financial income and loss of social connections. Equally, many people living with mental illness don’t suffer from suicidal thoughts.
4. People who talk about suicide aren’t serious and won’t go through with it
People who kill themselves have often told someone about their suicidal thoughts – this may be a way of calling out for help. Those who express their suicidal thoughts should always be taken seriously, and listening to them could be the first step in getting them the support that may save their life. It’s a common misconception that people who say they’re going to take their life are attention seeking, but people shouldn’t be criticised for going through something that is incredibly scary and lonely.
5. Talking about suicide might give someone the idea to try it
Often, people who are suffering with suicidal thoughts don’t want to burden anyone with their feelings. By openly talking about suicide, you give them the opportunity to tell you how they feel. Once a person opens up about their thoughts of suicide, they have a better chance of discovering the help and support available to them.
Suicide First Aid – Understanding Suicide Intervention training teaches the theory and practice of suicide intervention skills that can be applied in any professional or personal setting, to help those with thoughts of suicide stay safe. The course is easy to grasp for all knowledge levels, and can be used as a stand-alone programme or as part of a journey to learn suicide prevention skills.
In the UK and Republic of Ireland, more than 6,000 people take their own lives each year, and tens of thousands attempt to. The correct training and understanding can make a huge difference to people suffering from suicidal thoughts and help to promote mental health and wellbeing.
If you or someone you know are affected by the issues talked about in this article, Samaritans are available 24 hours a day for anyone struggling to cope. Call 116 123 for free or email jo@smaritans.org