Common myths about suicidal behaviour

I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact ~  Claude Levi-Strauss

 

Suicidal individuals have greater environmental burdens than their non suicidal peers including histories of abuse, interpersonal relationship problems, family disorders, exposure to overwhelming chronic stress. Coupled with depressive moods these people have an increased chance of suicidal tendencies. The additional feeling of hopelessness arising from the burdens of life is an even strong predictor of suicidal risk than depression alone. Identifying risk factors associated with suicidal behaviour is critical to the counsellor’s clinical decision making. Risk assessment by the counsellor is of paramount importance to reduce the chances of suicide. The counsellor has to watch out for the warning signs as already discussed earlier. Counsellors play a vital role in the prevention of child and adolescent suicide. When a child or youth becomes suicidal, they are trying to communicate their difficulties in coping with stress and life as a whole. Among adolescents alcohol and substance abuse significantly increase the risk of suicide during times of distress. Suicides among elderly individuals can be reduced if counsellors are aware of the suicidal messages. Almost 70% of elderly persons who commit suicide have been known to share their suicidal ideations with a family member or someone else before committing the fatal act.

 

Common Misconceptions about Suicide

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

False. Almost everyone who commits or attempts suicide has given some clue or warning. Do not ignore suicide threats. Statements like "you'll be sorry when I'm dead," "I can't see any way out," — no matter how casually or jokingly said may indicate serious suicidal feelings. Every statement of suicidal intent must be taken seriously. Never assume that a person doesn't mean what they are saying. The counsellor must take necessary precaution when confronted with such an individual.

 

Myth 2 : Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy or having some mental disorder.

False. 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. They are just in a painful place and can’t see a way out. They start seeing suicide as a way out. Suicidal behaviours have been associated with depression, substance abuse, schizophrenia and other mental disorders in addition to other destructive and aggressive behaviours. However this association must not be overestimated. Sometimes, there are cases where no disorder was present.

 

Myth 3 : If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop them.
False. 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. Their pain numbs their senses and they stop thinking clearly. There is always one last person they call, as probably their last cry for help.

 

Myth 4 : Suicide is impulsive and happens without warning.

False. Death by one’s own hands might appear to be impulsive but suicide may be pondered over a period of time. Most individuals give some sort of behavioural or verbal message of their mind set.

 

Myth 5 : When an individual shows signs of improvement or survives an attempt they are out of danger.

False. Actually, one of the most dangerous times is the one right after an attempt. The person is most fragile and prone to trying again. A predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour, the suicidal person continues to be at risk.

 

Myth 6 : Suicide is always hereditary.

False. Not every suicide can be linked to hereditary and conclusive studies are limited. Family history though is an important factor for this behaviour particularly in families where depression is common.

 

Myth 7 : If a person talks about suicide with the person who is depressed, that person is giving the idea of suicide. If a counsellor talks to a patient about suicide, the counsellor is giving the idea.

False. You don't give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true — bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do. The counsellor does not cause suicidal behaviour by simply asking if patients are considering harming themselves. Validation of a person’s emotional state and normalization of the stress induced state are necessary to reduce suicidal ideation.

Myth 8 : Suicide happens to “other” people, not to us.

False. Suicide happens to all kinds of people and is found in all kinds of social systems and families.

 

Myth 9 : Once a person has tried to commit suicide, he/ she will never try again.

False. Suicide attempts are critical predictors of future attempts.

 

Myth 10 : People who commit suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help .

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

 

Myth 11 : Children do not commit suicide since they do not understand the finality of death and are cognitively incapable of engaging in a suicidal act.

False. Although rare, children do commit suicide and any gesture, at any age should be taken seriously.

 

Given all these misconceptions, some counsellors may feel anxious or unprepared to work with suicidal individuals and must develop effective counselling skills for dealing with the same. Information, training and experience in suicidal crisis intervention increases the competence of the counsellor. The counsellor should make a conscious effort to enhance their abilities to listen calmly and patiently and tolerate the strong feelings of others. An awareness of risk factors and understanding risk situations are critical to a counsellors activities. Correct assessment guides a counsellor to make clinical judgement, counselling intervention, prevention and postvention. The assessment suicidal behaviour has already been discussed in an earlier post. Please feel free to add in some more suggestions if you so feel will benefit this topic.