Myths and Facts about Suicide

Myth

A suicidal person will commit the act if he talks about his suicidal feelings to another person.

Fact

About 80 percent of those people who talk about suicide attempt or commit suicide.

Myth

All suicidal people want to die, and there is nothing anyone can do about their death wish.

Possible causes of Suicide include the following:

Ending of a close, personal relationship or difficulty with a relationship.

Fact

If you ask a suicidal person about his suicidal feelings, he will often feel relieved that someone finally realizes that he is in emotional difficulty.

Fact

Most suicidal people are undecided about whether to live or die.

Fact

Not always. Most suicidal people have planned carefully and thought about the act for weeks.

Myth

People who talk about suicide don't actually commit suicide.

Myth

Suicide is an impulsive act with no previous planning.

Physical Health Indicators

• Change in appearance • Changes in appearance may indicate a person's mood and self-image • Neglect of hair and/or personall hygiene • Lack of concern for dress • Bodily movement slowed, decrease in gestures, stooped and bent posture

Mental Health Indicators

• Depressed mood • Facial expression may be blank, old, or sad • Feels low, sad, gloomy • Expresses self-reproach, self-depreciation • Tearfulness and/or trembling

Work Habits

•Change in work habits. •Lowered quality/quantity. •Inconsistent work pace. •The work pace is likely to change frequently, without apparent reason. •Compulsive worker. Lack of interest in work.

Personal and Social Changes

•Living within a tight budget. •Interpersonal problems. Lover's quarrels. •Difficulty in accepting authority. •Homesickness. •Loss of supportive friends/family ties. •Difficulty with people at work.

Changes in usual patterns of behavior.

•Loss of interest in recreation/hobbies. •Loss of interest in people. •The individual may avoid family and friends and may also have a decreased sexual drive.

Marital and family problems.

•Separation/divorce. •Difficulties with spouse. •Child-rearing problems. •Loss of self-control. •Social isolation. •Financial problems. •Debts.