Facts and Figures

Suicide Prevention :Emerging from Darkness -

Myths and Misconceptions about Suicide

Here are many myths and misconceptions about suicide. 

Myth: Only others commit suicide. It will not happen to me.

Fact: Everyone has a fleeting thought of ending his/her life in a crisis situation, but not everyone pursues the thought. When these thoughts and wishes become repetitive, progressive, cumulative and interfere with one’s activities, suicide is likely. 

Myth: People who talk about suicide do not commit it, but only threaten to do so.

Fact: While a few use the technique of minor degrees of self-injury to draw the attention of people around them, many give early clues at some point. After such clues, some progress to complete the attempt. In Indonesia, nearly two-thirds of patients had seen their doctors one month before killing themselves and one-third of these had expressed suicidal intentions before carrying it out. In India, nearly 10-20% of suicide victims had seen a physician a few days prior to the act. 

Myth: A person committing suicide never reveals his/her intention to anyone.

Fact: This is not always true. The majority of people give a clue or warning feeler, sign or an act which should be taken seriously, as a cry for help. According to a recent study from Bangalore, about one-third of those committing suicide had verbally communicated or told someone or indicated their suicidal ideation indirectly a few days earlier. In Thailand, half of those committing the act gave clear warning signs.

Myth: A person who attempts suicide will definitely complete it at some time.

Fact: Not everybody who attempts suicide is likely to repeat it. Timely help, support and buffer mechanisms can get rid of the death wish. Studies show that the risk of completing suicide among those who attempt it varies between 1 and 10%. 

Myth: If a person is saved once, there is no need to bother about him later.

Fact: A large number of those who attempt suicide need to be watched carefully over a period of time. There is evidence to show that 1-10% of such people repeat the act. After a brief period of recovery, if the person goes back to contemplating death, he needs to be observed, supported and cared for. 

Myth: Only poor people commit suicide.

Fact: Not true. Suicide is not a problem related to class, age or gender. Depending on the social, environmental, economic or mental health status, anybody can commit suicide. Because of social deprivation among the poor, the frequency of suicide among them is also comparatively higher.

Myth: Suicide runs in families, so nothing can be done.

Fact: Even though suicide has a biological basis, evidence of a hereditary basis is scientifically lacking. There is a possibility that some psychiatric conditions which predispose to suicide can occur in families. 

Myth: Suicidal persons are always mentally ill.

Fact: This again is not entirely true. However, a large number of people attempting suicide are depressed, unhappy, sad or violent before the act. Further, mentally ill persons carry higher risk of suicide due to the disease process and consequent difficulties in reasoning, judgement and actions. But many physically and mentally healthy people also commit suicide. 

Myth: Asking about suicidal thoughts may precipitate it.

Fact: Asking about suicide does NOT precipitate it. In fact, not asking about suicide may prevent identification of a person at risk for suicide. Frequently, doctors will directly ask patients about their suicidal ideation if they feel they are at risk.