Suicide Myths/Facts

Myth: Thoughts of suicide do not go away.
Fact: Thoughts of suicide are often short-term and situational. They may return but are not permanent.

Myth: Talking about suicide encourages it.
Fact: Most people thinking of suicide do not know who to talk to, and stigma often prevents them from talking to anyone. Talking openly and asking about thoughts of suicide can give individuals an opportunity to weigh other options and seek help.

Myth: Only people with mental disorders are suicidal.
Fact: Suicide is about experiencing extreme unbearable amounts of psychological pain. Many people living with mental health condition do not have thoughts of suicide and not all people who take their own life have a mental health condition

Myth: Most deaths by suicide happen suddenly and without warning.
Fact: The majority of deaths by suicide have warning signs, either verbal or behavioural.

Myth: Someone who is suicidal is determined to die.
Fact: Most people thinking of suicide are ambivalent: part of them wants to die but part of them wants to live.

Myth: People who talk about suicide don’t do it.
Fact: People talking about suicide are reaching out for help or support

Adapted from: http://www.who.int/mental_health/suicide-prevention/myths.pdf

Education Sessions

Your campus may offer suicide prevention courses such as SafeTalk and or basic introductions into mental health such as Mental Health First Aid. You may want to consider participating in these or similar sessions offered for faculty.

Suicide