MISSION

The NWGA Hope Over Suicide Coalition aims to reduce stigma and empower individuals to play a role in suicide prevention, to build community advocacy for those at risk or affected by suicide, and to build capacity for support services across the Northwest Georgia area.

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Myths & Facts about suicide

There is no  “typical” demographic of person who is at risk for suicide. No age group, ethnicity, or background is immune. Fortunately, many troubled individuals display behaviors deliberately or inadvertently signal their suicidal intent. Recognizing the warning signs and learning what to do next may help save a life.

In the United States alone, someone dies by suicide once every 12 minutes. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10 and 24. But because suicide has been considered such a “taboo” subject to think or to talk about, there are a lot of misconceptions about which individuals may be at risk, about when, how, and why people might consider killing themselves, and about how best to help yourself of someone else who’s contemplating suicide.

This misinformation – or the lack of information altogether – often means that desperate people can’t get the help they need in times of crisis. Being well-informed about depression and suicide can help you save your own life or the life of someone you know or love!

Myth: “People who complete suicide always leave notes.”

Fact: Most people don’t leave notes.

Myth: “People who die from suicide don’t warn others.”

Fact: Out of 10 people who kill themselves, eight have given definite clues to their intentions. They leave numerous clues and warnings to others, although some of their clues may be nonverbal or difficult to detect.

Myth: “People who talk about suicide are only trying to get attention. They won’t really do it.”

Fact: Few people die by suicide without first letting someone else know how they feel. Those who are considering suicide give clues and warnings as a cry for help. In fact, most seek out someone to rescue them. Over 70% who do threaten to carry out a suicide either make an attempt or complete the act.

Myth: “Once someone has already decided on suicide, nothing is going to stop them. Suicidal people clearly want to die.”

Fact: Most of the time, a suicidal person is ambivalent about the decision; they are torn between wanting to die and wanting to live. Most suicidal individuals don’t want death; they just want the pain to stop. Some people, seeing evidence of two conflicting feelings in the individual may interpret the action as insincerity: “He really doesn’t want to do it; I don’t think he is serious.” People’s ability to help is hindered if they don’t understand the common suicidal characteristic of ambivalence.

Myth: “Once the emotional state improves, the risk of suicide is over.”

Fact: The highest rates of suicide occur within about three months of an apparent improvement in a severely depressed state. Therefore, an improvement in emotional state doesn’t mean a lessened risk.

Myth: “After a person has attempted suicide, it is unlikely he/she will try again.”

Fact: People who have attempted suicide are very likely to try again. 80% of the people who die from suicide have made at least one previous attempt.

Myth: “You shouldn’t mention suicide to someone who’s showing signs of severe depression. It will plant the idea in their minds, and they will act on it.”

Fact: Many depressed people have already considered suicide as an option. Discussing it openly helps the suicidal person sort through the problems and generally provides a sense

  • Presence of a psychiatric or conduct disorder
  • The expression/communication of thoughts of suicide, death, dying or the ?????
  • Impulsive and aggressive behavior; frequent expressions of rage.
  • Previous exposure to other’s suicidality.
  • Recent severe stressors (e.g., difficulties in dealing with sexual orientation; unplanned pregnancy or other significant real or impending loss).
  • Family loss or instability; significant family conflict.
  • https://tspn.org/about-suicide/facts-myths-about-suicide/