Talking about suicide is uncomfortable – but silence can be deadly. Many people hesitate to bring it up for fear of making things worse. The truth? Speaking openly and compassionately can save a life.
Our Helpline volunteers are trained to talk openly with callers about suicidal thoughts. That’s as it should be, because the number of such calls has risen sharply in recent years in the first half of this year they were up 21% compared with the January-June period of last year.
Here are some common myths vs facts aboiut suicide that everyone should know, provided by Simon Dwyer, a psychotherapist, organisational psychologist, and supervisor of the CHS Helpline:
🔹 Myth 1: Talking about suicide puts the idea in someone’s head.
Fact: Asking directly can be life-saving. Try: “Are you thinking about suicide?” or “Do you feel like hurting yourself?” It shows you care — and opens the door to help.
🔹 Myth 2: People who talk about suicide are set on dying.
Fact: Most don’t want to die — they want the pain to stop. Offering hope and connection can make all the difference.
🔹 Myth 3: Someone talking about suicide is just seeking attention.
Fact: Talking about it is a warning sign, not drama. Most people who die by suicide showed signs beforehand.
Thanks to ongoing training, our Helpline volunteers are not afraid to deal with difficult issues, including callers with suicidal thoughts. It’s time to stop whispering about suicide: talking validates people’s pain, and sometimes it saves lives.
