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About Suicide

Myths & Facts

Many commonly held beliefs about suicide are wrong and, worse, they can be detrimental when dealing with a suicidal person. Here is a list of myths and facts about suicide:

Myth: Suicide occurs more frequently among certain classes of people
Fact: Suicide is neither the rich man's disease nor the poor man's curse. Showing no class or prejudice, suicide is represented proportionately in all strata. HOWEVER people in certain groups may be at a higher risk than others.
Myth: People who talk about committing suicide are just attention seeking and probably will not act on it.
Fact: A person talking about suicide is in need of attention and this must be addressed. HOWEVER some people do act on it by attempting or completing suicide.
Myth: Suicide can run in families.
Fact: Where a suicide has occurred in a family, other family members may be at a higher risk. HOWEVER there no suicide "gene" has been found
Myth: A person with suicidal thoughts clearly wants to die.
Fact: A person with suicidal thoughts clearly wants help HOWEVER a person may choose to take his/her own life no matter what.
Myth: People who suicide are most likely to have a mental disorder.
Fact: A person with a mental illness may potentially be at a higher risk HOWEVER not all people with mental illness are suicidal.
Myth: If a person has been depressed and suddenly seems to feel better, the danger of suicide is over.
Fact: People do recover from being depressed HOWEVER if this recovery is sudden, the person may have decided to suicide. The suddenness of the change must be monitored.
Myth: Talking about suicide may put the idea into someone's mind.
Fact: If the topic needs to be discussed, the thoughts of suicide were most likely already present. HOWEVER it is important that people speak to the appropriate groups in the appropriate way. E.g. it must be discussed appropriately with school students.
Myth: All people with suicidal thoughts are loners.
Fact: People with suicidal thoughts will often isolate themselves from others HOWEVER this does not mean that all people who enjoy spending time alone are suicidal.
Myth: Relationship break-ups are so common they do not cause suicide.
Fact: We all relationships of one kind or another; they are fundamental to who we are. Many relationship break-ups do not lead to suicide HOWEVER it is important to remember that it is different for every individual. For some, it may be the initial loss that leads to suicidal ideation.

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