Crisis Services - Suicide Prevention: Myths & Facts

Myths & Facts

What do you know about suicide?

Below are statements about suicide. Some are myths while others are true. See how many you can identify correctly. Fill in an “M” for myth or an “F” for fact in the blank before each statement.

1.	______	Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death among young people (ages 15-24) in the United States.
2.	______	Among teenagers, more girls than boys try to kill themselves.
3.	______	People who threaten to complete suicide rarely do so.
4.	______	People who talk about suicide really want to die.
5.	______	Talking to a troubled person about suicide will put ideas into that person’s head.
6.	______	People who think about completing suicide usually give one or more warnings of their intention.
7.	______	People who attempt suicide and survive are just seeking attention; they seldom ever try it again.
8.	______	All acts of suicide are done on the spur of the moment, with no previous planning.
9.	______	Troubled teenagers who drink or use drugs as an escape are less likely to complete suicide to escape from their problems.
10.	______	Depression is the most basic predictor of suicide.
11.	______	Once a person has survived a suicide attempt, he or she will never try again.
12.	______	When a suicidal person’s depression improves and spirits lift, he or she is out of danger.
13.	______	Once someone has decided on suicide there is no way to prevent the tragedy from taking place.

Suicide Myths and Facts
Answer Key

1.	False	Suicide is the third leading cause of death for dolescents, only behind homicides and accidents. For those ages 15-19, suicide is the second leading cause of death.
2.	True	More females attempt suicide, but more males complete suicide. Why? Because females tend to use less lethal means, such as pills or cutting, which allow for the “rescue factor”, while males tend to use more lethal means such as guns and hanging, which do not usually allow for the “rescue factor”
3.	False	80% of people who complete suicide told at least one other person that they were thinking about it.
4.	False	People do not usually want to die, but they see no other options. It may seem like the only option they have left to make things better. Suicide is contemplated with a great deal of ambivalence.
5.	False	It’s highly unlikely that you will plant an idea into somebody’s head if you bring up the topic of suicide. However, if they have been thinking about it and you ask, it is likely to provide a great deal of relief to the person. Trying to avoid the topic will likely be embarrassing to the person and they will begin to feel guilty that they are having thoughts.
6.	True	80% of people who complete suicide told at least one other person that they were thinking about it.
7.	False	With each attempt a person’s chance of completing suicide increases.
8.	False	While some acts of suicide are done impulsively (often under the influence of drugs or alcohol), the majority of suicides are attempted after planning and discussing their thoughts with others.
9.	False	Drugs and alcohol decrease a person’s inhibitions and increase a person’s impulsivity, increasing a person’s risk of suicide.
10.	False	While depression is a high indicator for suicide, the highest indicators are helplessness and hopelessness. Helplessness is when people feel that no matter what they do, their situation does not improve. Hopelessness is when people feel that there is no hope for improvement with their situation.
11.	False	With each attempt a person’s chance of completing suicide increases.
12.	False	Oftentimes, a person’s depression decreases and spirits lift once the person has made up their mind to complete suicide and they have their plan in place, almost as if a large burden has been lifted off of them.
13.	False	There is help available and it is important to intervene. Tell somebody and get help for the individual. A trained professional will be able to help the individual. Do not keep secrets. An angry friend is better than a dead friend.