People who talk about suicide never attempt suicide.
- There is this idea that people who talk about suicide just want attention.
- Suicidal individuals try to let someone know either verbally or nonverbally that they are in crisis. It should always be taken seriously. If you are unsure if the person is serious, ask him/her.
Suicide happens with no warning.
- Many times suicidal individuals leave numerous hints; they are more accident prone, withdrawn, etc.
Once an individual is suicidal, he/she is suicidal forever.
- A person is considered suicidal for a limited period of time- usually there is a 24-72 hour period around the peak of the crisis.
- Although people who have attempted suicide are more likely to attempt suicide again it doesn’t mean they will always be suicidal
Most suicides happen late at night or during the predawn hours.
- More individuals attempt mid to late morning or afternoon because more people are likely to be around and might serve as a source of help.
Never use the word “suicide” when talking to individuals because using the word gives some individuals the idea.
- You can’t put the idea into someone’s head. It may actually provide them a forum to talk about how they have been feeling.
Every individual who attempts suicide is depressed.
- Many people simply want to escape the situation and do not have the problem solving skills to consider alternatives.
- Hopelessness is a risk factor for attempting suicide. Many people with depression experience hopelessness but non-depressed individuals can also experience hopelessness.
- Another thing to consider is that a person with a family history of suicide is at higher risk for attempting suicide regardless of whether or not they are depressed.
Reducing access to firearms and other lethal weapons reduces the risk of suicide.
- Having a firearm in your house, even if the ammunition is stored in a separate place, makes someone 50% more likely to die by suicide. This is true even if the weapon is kept in a locked location.
If someone is exposed to a suicide, this increases their own risk for attempting suicide.
- Suicide is a contagious phenomenon and being exposed to the suicidal behavior of others makes one more likely to consider it an option. The person does not need to know the person who completed suicide, just knowing that someone completed suicide can increase a person’s risk for attempting suicide. This is particularly concerning recognizing the accessibility of graphic information regarding suicides via the Internet and media.
A student with sleep problems is at increased risk for attempting suicide.
- Sleep deprivation can lead to irrational thought patterns and may impair one’s decision making process. Sleep deprivation is also linked with other mental health concerns (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder, etc.) that may be related to suicidal ideation.
Many people who talk about suicide just want attention.
- Individuals who talk about suicide need assistance. They may be discussing their suicidal thoughts with the hope that someone will listen and help them. Most individuals who talk of suicide are not just seeking attention, they are seeking help. One thing to keep in mind – if someone is resorting to talking about suicide to get attention; he/she likely needs attention.
Suicides occur in the greatest numbers around the holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Suicide rates actually increase in the spring, rather than around the holidays. It is believed that individuals may use all of their mental resources to get through the holidays and by the Spring have little mental reserves left to deal with life. The spring is also a time of change (e.g., graduation, weddings). For some individuals these periods of transition are extremely stressful and can lead to suicidal ideation.
Most suicidal people never ask for help with their problems.
- This is false. Individuals with suicidal ideation often hint to others that they need help. However, these hints may be very subtle. Sometimes after a completed suicide, survivors will remember that the person said something odd or out of character but they didn’t pay attention to it at the time. If you are ever unsure if someone is seriously considering suicide, it is always better to ask.