ORIGINAL PUBLICATION DATE: September 22, 2022
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines stigma as “a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something.” For years, there has been a social stigma surrounding mental health, causing others to be blamed for their struggles or have their pain overlooked. It is deeply harmful to our society to think in this manner.
When a person suffers from extreme illness or physical pain, they are not suffering from a character flaw or failure. The same reasoning applies to mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. These mental health issues can be debilitating. Thankfully, they can also be treated and managed. As a society, we need to let go of stigmas involving mental health by educating ourselves and seeking help when needed.
One common stigma we often see is the phrase “suicide is selfish.” This is one of the many misconceptions that surrounds attempted suicide. We will explain further why someone might attempt suicide and the false narratives commonly spread about this subject to show why it is important to stop saying these harmful phrases.
Why Someone Might Attempt Suicide
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that “suicide is a serious public health problem” and “it is a leading cause of death in the United States.” Furthermore, in 2020, “an estimated 12.2 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.2 million attempted suicide.”
If you are experiencing an emotional crisis or know someone who needs immediate help, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or text 988 or texting HOME to 741741 (the Crisis Text Line). They provide 24-hour confidential support to anyone during a suicide crisis, or emotional pain or distress.
Note that suicide does not discriminate against age, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. Even though there is no single cause that would lead to a suicide attempt, the National Institute of Mental Health mentions some risk factors about why someone might attempt suicide. These risk factors include:
- Mental disorders, such as depression.
- Chronic physical pain.
- Personal or family history of suicide attempts.
- History of substance use, such as drugs and alcohol.
- Exposure to domestic violence, including physical and sexual assault.
- Presence of firearms at home or easy access to the means to end their lives.
- Exposure to suicidal behavior from others, such as family, colleagues or peers, TV shows, or celebrities.
- Being a victim of bullying or discrimination.
The risk factors mentioned above increase suicide risk for individuals, but there are some other factors related to relationships, community, and society that contribute to suicide risk, according to the CDC. These factors include a lack of access to healthcare, community violence, historical trauma, discrimination, and the stigma associated with seeking and getting treatment for mental health illnesses.
We should never underestimate the risk factors of a suicide attempt, as they are seldom the result of a single circumstance. Suicide is not a personal shortcoming, a weakness, or a selfish act. It is a complex phenomenon determined by various factors, including neurobiology, personal history, stressful or violent events, and sociocultural environments.
Misconceptions About Suicide
As a society, we need to understand that suicide happens during periods of intense emotions or during a mental health crisis. When a person can no longer tolerate the emotional pain they experience, they may feel that suicide is the only option to end their pain and suffering.
A great deal of individuals who attempt suicide describe wanting to escape intense emotional pain as opposed to wanting their life to end. Many people are also not able to find the resources that will help them find healing. As a result, they may struggle intensely with distressing thoughts and feelings.
Plenty of people who have suicidal thoughts greatly care about their families and friends. But their psychological distress can mistakenly convince them that they are a burden or that others would be better off without them, even though that is the opposite of the truth.
Lastly, society must stop underestimating the several factors we mentioned in the section above that may contribute to a person attempting suicide. When there is an underlying condition, it can impair the decision-making process for individuals, as does their emotional pain or negative views of the future.
Society must stop saying suicide is selfish. Individuals do not choose to suffer from a mental illness just as they do not choose to suffer from physical pain or ailments, such as diabetes or cancer. Saying suicide is selfish enhances the stigma and discrimination that surrounds this topic and may lead to someone not seeking help when they most need it.
What to Do Instead
The CDC has some individual, relationship, community, and societal factors to protect against suicide risk. Instead of saying suicide is “selfish,” we must view it for what it is: an act made in times of crisis or distress.
Individuals can create coping strategies they can use to de-escalate when they are in an immediate crisis. Friends and family can offer support by being present, taking a crisis intervention course, or helping create a safety plan.
Most of all, we encourage you to seek help if you or someone you know is in crisis. Support is available, and compassionate professionals can guide individuals through their next steps.
Suicide Prevention Resources
If you or a loved one is experiencing an immediate crisis, seek help with one of the following resources:
- 911 and the Emergency Room
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline): call 988
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call the three-digit code 988 and press 1, or send a text to 838255
- You can connect with a counselor 24/7 with The Trevor Project. You can text START to 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386
- Trans Lifeline offers peer support in the US and Canada. For the US, call 877-565-8860 and CAN, 877-330-6366. Press 2 for a Spanish-speaking operator.
- Alvarado Parkway Institute: Call our 24/7 crisis line at 619-333-7050
Our team at the Alvarado Parkway Institute also offers a variety of mental health and intervention services. Our well-trained staff is ready to guide our patients out of a crisis. Please do not hesitate to contact us by calling our 24-hour inquiry & support line at 619-333-7050 or completing our contact form.
