Misconceptions of Suicide | SECOND CHANCE SUICIDE AWARENESS

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about suicide here are 10 of those myths and the real truth behind them.

1. People who talk about suicide won't really do it.

FACT: Almost everyone who commits or attempts suicide has given some warning. Please Do not ignore suicide threats.They will say things like "I wish I was dead." or " "You'll be better off without me."

2. Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy?

FACT: Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They must be upset, grief-stricken, depressed or despairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are not necessarily signs of mental illness.

3. If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop them?

FACT: Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, wavering until the very last moment between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop. The impulse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.

4. People who commit suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help?

FACT: Studies of suicide victims have shown that more than half had sought medical help in the six months prior to their deaths.

5.Talking about suicide may give someone the idea?

FACT: By talking about suicide you open the conversation and are helping them. They are looking for someone to lend an ear. Don't be afraid to ask you just might save their life!

6. Suicide occurs in greatest numbers around Christmas and Thanksgiving

FACT: While depression is often greatest in numbers during the holiday season, suicide is a lot higher during the spring months of the year.

7. The tendency toward suicide is inherited and passed on generation to generation.

FACT: Suicide can run in the families, the assumption is that suicide is inherited. However suicide often occurs in individuals with no family history of suicide.

8. People who talk about suicide are just trying to get attention.

FACT: People who take their life often talk about taking their lives because they are hurting and not sure what to do in the situation they are in.

9. Suicide always occurs without any warning signs.

10. There is little correlation between alcohol or drug abuse and suicide.

FACT: Oftentimes people who die by suicide are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.