Understanding the facts about suicide will help one identify the signs when someone close to him or her is finding it difficult to cope with suicide ideation. In addressing the issue, one has to be factual and rational, while at the same time one has to be careful to avoid all forms of emotional entanglement with the client during the process of counselling.
In this article, we attempt to discuss some of the myths as it pertains to suicide. The intention is to enable the counsellor to understand the dynamics of suicide ideation and how to be effective as he or she seeks to navigate through the process of counselling.
Myth: You have to be mentally ill to think about suicide.
Fact: Most people have thought of suicide from time to time and not all people who die by suicide have mental health problems at the time of death. However, many people who kill themselves do suffer with their mental health, typically to a serious degree. Sometimes the issue is known before the person’s death and sometimes it is not known.
Myth: People who talk about suicide are not serious and won’t go through with it.
Fact: People who kill themselves have often told someone that they do not feel life is worth living or that they have no future. Some may have actually said they want to die.
While it is possible that someone might talk about suicide as a way of getting the attention they need, it is vitally important to take anybody who talks about feeling suicidal seriously. The majority of people who feel suicidal do not actually want to die; but they do not want to live the life they have.
Myth: Once a person has made a serious suicide attempt, that person is unlikely to make another.
Fact: People who have tried to end their lives before are significantly more likely to eventually die by suicide than the rest of the population.
Myth: If a person is serious about killing themselves then there is nothing you can do.
Fact: Often, feeling actively suicidal is temporary, even if someone has been feeling low, anxious or struggling to cope for a long period of time. This is why getting the right kind of support at the right time is so important.
Myth: Talking about suicide is a bad idea as it may give someone the idea to try it.
Fact: Suicide can be a taboo topic in the society. Often, people feeling suicidal don’t want to worry or burden anyone with how they feel and so they don’t discuss it. By asking directly about suicide you give them permission to tell you how they feel.
People who have felt suicidal will often say what a huge relief it is to be able to talk about what they are experiencing. Once someone starts talking, they have got a better chance of discovering other options to live.
Myth: Most suicides happen in the winter months.
Fact: Suicide is more common in the spring and summer months. The Guyana experience has shown a pattern, in favour of August or September. However, that pattern has not maintained its pace over the past years.
Myth: People who threaten to commit suicide are just seeking attention and should not be taken seriously.
Fact: People who threaten suicide should always be taken seriously. It may well be that they want attention in the sense of calling out for help, and giving them this attention might save their life.
Myth: People who are suicidal want to die.
Fact: The majority of people who feel suicidal do not actually want to die; they do not want to live the life they have. The distinction may seem small but is in fact very important. Therefore, it is vital to talk about better options at the right time to help individuals receive a better perspective of life.
Photo by Sean Boyd on Unsplash; Photo by Anthony Intraversato on Unsplash; Photo by Gadiel Lazcano on Unsplash
