Myth: People who attempt suicide are crazy or different.
Reality: You don't have to be psycho to be desperate. People who attempt suicide are desperate to end the pain and suffering they feel.
Myth: Those who talk about it won't actually do it.
Reality: Most people who have committed suicide talked about it first, even if they sounded at the time as if they were joking. If someone talks about suicide, or gives verbal clues like "It doesn't matter anymore" or "I wish I'd never been born", you should take it seriously and consult an adult.
Myth: Talking about suicide will give others the idea to do it.
Reality: Talking about suicide or asking someone if they are suicidal will not plant ideas in their head. Suicidal individuals will most likely find it a relief to be able to talk about it.
Myth: Someone who is suicidal will never be "normal" again.
Reality: Once the suicidal crisis has passed, and the individual gets some help (either through drugs, counseling, or both), there is no reason why they shouldn't return to the way they were before.
Myth: If someone wants to commit suicide, no one can stop them.
Reality: There is always something you can do to stop a suicidal individual from killing themselves. If you suspect that someone is suicidal, you should get an adult involved, and let them handle it.
Myth: When they start getting better, there is no more reason to worry.
Reality: The most dangerous time for someone who is suicidal is when they are coming out a deep depression. During their depression, they were suicidal, but they were too depressed to do anything about it. Now that their mood has lifted somewhat, they are able to take action. People often feel and act calm, peaceful and happy once they've decided to kill themselves, because they believe they've found the solution to all their problems.
Myth: Suicide happens without warning.
Reality: Almost everyone who has killed themselves, or attempted suicide, has given some sort of advance notice. Visit the warning signs page for a list of clues that a friend is suicidal.
Myth: Suicidal people truly mean to die.
Reality: Many suicidal individuals don't want to die, they just want to end their pain. They see death as the only answer to their problems.
Myth: Suicide is more common among a certain group of people.
Reality: Suicide affects every group of people; rich or poor, married or single, young or old, black or white...it doesn't discriminate.
Myth: Children and adolescents cannot kill themselves.
Reality: Many used to believe (and some still do) that children or adolescents are incapable of killing themselves or that they don't understand what death is. Very young children may not grasp the concept of death, but most older children and adolescents have a very clear idea of what it is, and know how to go about it.
