Understanding Suicide

Suicide is when a person dies by ending their own life. A suicide attempt is when someone tries to end their life but does not die from the attempt. Suicidal ideation means thinking about ending one’s life on purpose (i.e., dying by suicide).  

Myth	Fact
Talking about suicide will “put the idea” in someone’s head.	Asking about suicide does not cause suicide. In fact, asking directly can help someone feel understood
People who talk about suicide are just seeking attention.	Talking about suicide is often a cry for help. It should always be taken seriously.
Thinking about, attempting, or dying by suicide shows weakness, selfishness, or bad morals.	Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are not related to someone’s morals, strength, or care for others, and thinking they are stops people from seeking the help they need.
If someone is determined to die, nothing will stop them.	Many people who think about suicide are unsure if they want to live or die. Support, treatment, and connection with others can save lives.
Suicide happens without warning.	Some people show warning signs before an attempt, such as talking about death, withdrawing from others, or giving away possessions.
Only people with mental illness think about suicide.	Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone during overwhelming stress, pain, or loss.
Once someone has thought about suicide, they will always feel that way.	Suicidal thoughts are often temporary and treatable with the right help and support. However, some people experience suicidal thoughts for a long time.

Suicidal thoughts are more common than many people realize, impacting 15% of adults and 20% of teens in the United States. Someone might be thinking about harming themselves if they:

• Talk about dying by suicide or wanting to die
  • Younger children may say more vague things like “I want to go away forever,” “I wish I could disappear,” or “I don’t want to wake up.”
  • Children may also express sucidial thoughts in play, stories, or drawings
• Describe unbearable emotional pain or feeling trapped 
• Look for ways to harm themselves or die by suicide (such as searching online)
  • Children may not fully understand that death is permanent and may take actions without knowing what could really happen. Do not dismiss concerns just because a child or teen doesn’t understand death in a nuanced way.
• Gather materials like medications, knives, firearms, chemicals, tools, or rope 
• Feel very depressed, irritable, ashamed, or anxious
  • In children, depression may look more like anger, irritability, or anxiety.
  • Children may frequently cry, throw tantrums, or become clingy to loved ones
• Start using more alcohol or drugs 
• Stop spending time with those they love or doing things they love
  • Some kids and teens withdraw from friends, stop playing with favorite toys, or quit doing activities they love.
• Say goodbye to loved ones 
• Give away prized possessions 
• Suddenly feel much better or become much more calm after showing warning signs

 Some people have sudden, unwanted thoughts – called intrusive thoughts – that enter their mind related to harming themselves or dying by suicide. If you are having intrusive thoughts or suicidal ideation, talk to a doctor or mental health professional as soon as possible.  

Risk factors don’t cause or predict suicide, but they are things that make it more likely someone will think about, attempt, or die by suicide. Risk factors include:

• Mental health concerns (e.g., depression, substance use disorders), especially when untreated 
• Impulsivity (acting quickly or without thinking)
• Previous suicide attempts 
• Serious physical health conditions  
• Experiencing stressful or traumatic events (e.g., divorce, financial crisis, abuse, discrimination, witnessing violence) 
• Exposure to graphic, sensationalized accounts of suicide (e.g., online or in the news)  
• Family history of suicide
• Knowing someone who died by suicide (e.g., at school or work)
• Distress related to gender identity or sexual orientation  
• Experiencing bullying  
• Access to lethal means (e.g., firearms)  

Protective factors are things in a person’s life that make it less likely someone will think about, attempt, or die by suicide. Having protective factors does not mean a person will never attempt suicide, but they are important because they provide support and reduce the overall risk. 

• Strong connection to family, friends, or community support 
• Access to mental health care 
• Good coping and problem-solving skills  
• Future goals or reasons to live 
• Cultural, communal, or spiritual beliefs that encourage connection and discourage suicide