Why We Don’t Say ‘Committed Suicide.’ Dr. Xavier Amador explains, “The research on the brain dysfunction is abundantly clear; people suffering from mental illness do not commit suicide or kill themselves. Those phrases suggest a knowingly and voluntary choice. Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, they die from a suicide just like people die from cancer or heart disease.” “

For example, the phrase “committed suicide” is frowned on because it harks back to an era when suicide was considered a sin or a crime. Think about the times when we use the word “commit”: “commit adultery” or “commit murder.” Similarly, “successful suicide” or “unsuccessful attempt” are considered poor word choices because they connotate an achievement of something positive, even though they result in tragic outcomes.” 

“Suicide prevention is a hard sell. As a result, well-meaning health professionals often make serious errors when crafting messages for suicide prevention. We have a tendency to think that we need to grab the public’s attention through graphic and scary messages when that just tends to turn people off. Instead, we need to think about aligning with our audience’s beliefs, values, priorities, and needs. We must craft messages that are positively engaging, providing people with the information we want them to remember, and give them action steps.”

“Instead of just “raising awareness” by sharing statistics of suicide death, we can inspire hope by sharing stories of recovery and letting them know that help is available. Kevin Hines’s story is one that spreads a ripple of hope around the world. Mr. Hines survived a jump off the Golden Gate Bridge, and his BuzzFeed video now has over 8 million views on YouTube. His main message—you are not alone, and brain health is possible. He is a fierce advocate for mental wellness and lives his message of fighting for a passion for life every day.” (See link to Kevin’s story below).

“We must talk about suicide if we are going to get in front of it. But HOW we talk about suicide matters. Unsafe messages and data that leave us feeling that “suicide is an epidemic” can create harm. Instead, let’s focus on messages and stories that inspire hope and healing, and share resources that help people through their despair.”