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2004/08/17, 04:16 PM
This is my last post for now, but it is important because it answers some of the myths that have been presented.
MYTHS about SUICIDE
There are many commonly-held misconceptions about suicide. These myths of suicide often stand in the way of providing assistance for those who are at-risk. By dispelling the myths, those responsible for the care and education of young people will be in a better position to identify those who are at-risk and to provide the help that is needed.
MYTH
Young people who talk bout suicide never attempt or complete suicide.
FACT
Talking about suicide can be a plea for help and can be a late sign in the progression toward a suicide attempt. Those who are most at risk will show other signs apart from talking about suicide. If you have concerns about a young person who talks about suicide:
- Encourage them to talk further and help them to find appropriate counseling assistance
- Ask if they are thinking about making a suicide attempt.
- Ask if they have a plan.
- Think about the completeness of the plan and how dangerous it is. Do not trivialize plans that seem less complete or less dangerous. ALL suicidal intentions are serious and must be acknowledged as such.
- Encourage the young person to develop a personal safety plan. This can include time spent with others, check-in points with significant adults, plans for the future.
MYTH
A promise to keep a note unopened and unread should always be kept.
FACT
Where the potential for harm, or actual harm, is disclosed- then confidentiality cannot be maintained. A Sealed note with the request for the note not to be opened is a very strong indicator that something is seriously amiss. A sealed not is a late sign in the progression towards suicide.
MYTH
Attempted or completed suicides happen without warning.
FACT
The survivors of a suicide often say that the intention was hidden, however it is more likely that the intention was not recognized. These warning signs include:
- The recent suicide, or death by other means, of a friend or relative.
- Previous suicide attempts.
- Preoccupation with themes of death or expressing suicidal thoughts.
- Depression, conduct disorder or problems with adjustment such as substance abuse (particularly when two or more of these are present).
- Giving away of prized possessions, making a will or other final arrangements.
- Major changes in sleep patterns- too much or too little.
- Sudden and extreme changes in eating habits, losing or gaining weight.
- Withdrawal from friends/family or other major behavioral changes.
- Dropping out of group activities.
- Personality changes such as nervousness, outbursts of anger, impulsive or reckless behavior, or apathy about appearance or health.
- Frequent irritability or unexplained crying.
- Lingering expressions of unworthiness or failure.
- Lack of interest in the future.
* A sudden lifting of spirits, when there have been other indicators, may point to a decision to end the pain of life through suicide.
MYTH
If a person attempts suicide and survives, they will never make a further attempt.
FACT
A suicide attempt is regarded as an indicator of further attempts. It is likely that the level of danger will increase with each further suicide attempt.
MYTH
Once a person is intent on suicide, there is no way of stopping them.
FACT
Suicides CAN be prevented. people CAN be helped. Suicidal crisis can be relatively short-lived. Suicide is a permanent solution to what is usually a temporary problem. Immediate practical help such as staying with the person, encouraging them to talk and helping them build plans for the future, can avert the intention to attempt or complete suicide. Such immediate help is valuable at a time of crisis, but appropriate counseling will then be required.
MYTH
Suicidal young people cannot help themselves.
FACT
While contemplating suicide, young people may have a distorted perception of their actual life situation and what solutions are appropriate for them to take. However, with support and constructive assistance from caring and informed people around them, young people can gain full self-direction and self-management of their lives.
MYTH
The only effective intervention for suicide comes from professional psychotherapists with extensive experience in this area.
FACT
All people who interact with suicidal adolescents can help them by way of emotional support and encouragement. Psychotherapeutic interventions also rely heavily on family and friends providing a network of support.
MYTH
Most suicidal young people never seek or ask for help with their problems.
FACT
Evidence shows that they often tell their school peers of their thoughts and plans. Most suicidal adults visit a medical doctor during the three months prior to killing themselves. Adolescents are more likely to 'ask' for help through non-verbal gestures than to express their situation verbally to others.
MYTH
Suicidal young people are always angry when someone intervenes and they will resent that person afterwards.
FACT
While it is common for young people to be defensive and resist help at first, these behaviors are often barriers imposed to test how much people care and are prepared to help. for most adolescents considering suicide, it is a relief to have someone genuinely care about them and to be able to share the emotional burden of their plight with another person. When questioned some time later, the vast majority express gratitude for the intervention.
MYTH
Suicidal young people are insane or mentally ill.
FACT
Although suicidal adolescents are likely to be extremely unhappy and may be classified as having a mood disorder, such as depression, most are not legally insane. However, there are small numbers of individuals whose mental state meets psychiatric criteria for mental illness and who need Psychiatric help.
MYTH
Most suicides occur in winter months when the weather is poor.
FACT
Seasonal variation data are essentially based on adult suicides, with limited adolescent data available. However, it seems adolescent suicidal behavior is most common during the spring and early summer months.
MYTH
Some people are always suicidal.
FACT
Nobody is suicidal at all times. the risk of suicide for any individual varies across time, as circumstances change. This is why it is important for regular assessments of the level of risk in individuals who are 'at-risk'.
MYTH
Every death is preventable.
FACT
No matter how well intentioned, alert and diligent people's efforts may be, there is no way of preventing all suicides from occurring
MYTH
People who threaten suicide are just seeking attention.
FACT
All suicide attempts must be treated as though the person has the intent to die. Do not dismiss a suicide attempt as simply being an attention-gaining device. It is likely that the young person has tried to gain attention and, therefore, this attention is needed. The attention that they get may well save their lives.
MYTH
Talking about suicide or asking someone if they feel suicidal will encourage suicide attempts.
FACT
Talking about suicide provides the opportunity for communication. Fears that are shared are more likely to diminish. The first step in encouraging a suicidal person to live comes from talking about feelings. That first step can be the simple inquiry about whether or not the person in intending to end their life. However, talking about suicide should be carefully managed.
MYTH
Only certain types of people become suicidal.
FACT
Everyone has the potential for suicide. The evidence is that predisposing conditions may lead to either attempted or completed suicides. it is unlikely that those who do not have the predisposing condition (for example, depression, conduct disorder, substance abuse, feeling of rejection, rage, emotional pain and anger), will complete suicide.
MYTH
Depression and self-destructive behavior are rare in young people.
FACT
Both forms of behavior are common in adolescents. Depression may manifest itself in ways which are different from its manifestation in adults. Self-destructive behavior is most likely to be shown for the first time in adolescence and its incidence is on the rise.
MYTH
Suicide is painless
FACT
Many suicide methods are very painful. Fictional portrayals of suicide do not usually include the reality of the pain.
Mental Health Library
Royal Park Hospital
Parkville, Victoria
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