(1)
Myth: People who talk about suicide don't actually commit suicide.
Fact: About 80 percent of those people who talk about suicide attempt
or commit suicide. A person who talks about suicide may be giving a warning that he
may try suicide.
(2) Myth: A suicidal person will commit the act if he talks about his suicidal
feelings to another person.
Fact: If you ask a suicidal person about his suicidal feelings, he will
often feel relieved that someone finally realizes that he is in emotional difficulty. He will
not commit the act just because you asked about his suicidal feelings.
(3) Myth: All suicidal people want to die, and there is nothing anyone can
do about their death wish.
Fact: Most suicidal people are undecided about whether to live or die.
They often call for help just before or just after a suicide attempt.
(4)
Myth: Suicide is an impulsive act with no previous planning.
Fact: Not always. Most suicidal people have planned carefully and
thought about the act for weeks.
(5)
Myth: A person who attempts suicide will not try again.
Fact: The majority of people who commit suicide have tried before.
(6)
Myth: The danger of suicide is over when the suicidal person begins to
recover.
Fact: No. The majority of suicides occur within about three months after
the person starts to improve. At this time, the individual has enough energy to act on
his morbid thoughts and feelings. His desire to escape from life may be so great that
the thought of suicide seems a relief from a hopeless situation. Frequently, the suicide
follows a period when the individual has been very calm.
(7)
Myth: Suicidal people are actually mentally ill.
Fact: Studies of many suicide notes reveal that the suicidal person is
desperately unhappy, but that he is not necessarily mentally ill.
MD0586
2-11
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