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Breaking the Stigma: Debunking Suicide Myths
Breaking the Stigma:
Debunking Myths About Suicide
By Paris Moulden, Wounded Warrior Project
Suicide is seldom a topic people feel comfortable talking about, but it’s important to be able to discuss the subject openly in order to combat stigma and help remove obstacles to getting help.
Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is committed to helping warriors find the help and care they need to live successful and fulfilling lives. WWP’s 2021 Annual Warrior Survey showed some disturbing trends when it comes to mental health and suicidal ideation. According to the survey, nearly 1 in 4 warriors served by WWP have had suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months. Of warriors who reported having suicidal thoughts, 70% reported having them in the previous two weeks.
Those same warriors also reported the following:
• 21.2% used drugs in the past year for reasons other than medical purposes. • 39.1% presented moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. • 76.2% presented post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. • 80.8% reported experiencing moderate to severe depressive symptoms.
These are just some of the reasons it is so important to make sure veterans know they are not alone, and care is available.
WWP Talk program director Sonal Patel, Ph.D., and members of the WWP Talk team helped answer some common questions about suicide to debunk myths.
1. What are some of the risk factors and warning signs that someone is at risk for attempting suicide?
• Risks and warning signs of suicide can be very different for each individual, but some common signs are isolation from friends, family, and activities they used to enjoy. • Giving away prized possessions. • Changes in overall demeanor/behavior compared to how they typically are. • Feelings of being a burden or that they have no purpose. • Learning that someone has experienced big changes in their life; could be positive (getting promoted, married, having a baby) or negative (losing a job, divorce, death of loved one). • Other possible warning signs can include having attempted suicide before, a mental health condition, long-term-pain or terminal illness, financial problems, substance use disorder, talking about suicide or making final preparations. For more warning signs, go to https://www.nimh.nih. gov/health/publications/warning-signs-of-suicide.
“There are factors that can make an individual more at risk, such as mental health issues, experiencing physical health problems, or recently receiving information that puts their life in a negative light,” Patel said. “But honestly, anybody can be at risk for suicide because there are not always warning signs.”
2. Veterans have higher suicide rates than the general population. What are some of the specific reasons behind this and what can we do to combat it? Some issues that particularly affect veterans:
• Isolation • Nightmares (sleep problems) • Flashbacks • Severe pain • Financial struggles • Loss of purpose or feeling as though they are a burden. • Not asking for help due to stigma.
Some of the best ways to combat these issues include:
• Therapy, such as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and brief interventions strategies. • Getting them connected to support groups or something that gives them more meaning. • Validating feelings and offering support.
“When we think about transitioning [from military to civilian world], it can affect a person’s mood and judgment,” Patel said. “Factors that can affect our mood or judgement could include, looking for a job, not getting or holding a job, or connecting with your family or the people around you. Maybe moving to a new place and being out of a structured environment, and now you have to find where your place is and how that structure looks for you. That can all be overwhelming when it all happens at one time.”
3. Many people, including veterans, worry about seeking mental health care or revealing thoughts of suicide because it could be seen as a weakness. Why is that thinking a myth?
Mental health still has a stigma associated with it. WWP offers many innovative opportunities for warriors to work on their mental health. Asking for help can actually promote feelings of control in an individual’s life and allow them to make healthier choices for themselves moving forward.
“It’s important to recognize that an individual can seek help and live a healthy lifestyle, but I believe the stigma around mental health and treatment is still a big factor, especially in the military community,” Patel said. “At Wounded Warrior Project, we are providing services that help our warriors and family support members open up to the idea of seeking help and, in doing so, decreasing that stigma.”
4. Many people feel uncomfortable asking someone if they are thinking about suicide or worried that talking about it will make someone more likely to do it. Why is it important we have this dialogue?
Having this dialogue can be uncomfortable, but it can open up the doors for assistance to work through those difficult times. Having this conversation can also give someone relief and the understanding that they are not alone. More importantly, asking this question could save a life. “We have to be mindful when an individual is in deep psychological pain, we have to put whatever feelings we have aside and reach out,” Patel said. “We have to listen, provide support, and make sure that we can help in any way possible to get them the support they need.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 (press 1), or texting 838255
Learn more about how WWP helps warriors, family members and caregivers through mental health support programs at www.woundedwarriorproject.org/CombatStigma.
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Myth: Someone who takes their own life is “cowardly,” “selfish,” or “weak.”
Fact: Someone who completes suicide is in psychological pain and is likely thinking suicide is their only solution. In their mind, they have lost all hope for answers that will help them see beyond the current situation. This myth solidifies that there is still stigma around mental health and suicide, and that suicide is not understood by most. Despite someone’s personal views of suicide, it is important that we all recognize the possible warning signs, ask someone if they are thinking of suicide, and get them connected to resources that can help save their life.
Myth: If someone is talking about taking their life, they are just trying to get attention and won’t actually do it.
Fact: If someone is talking about suicide, they are likely asking for support and they have some hope that they can still live. Talking about suicide can be a plea for help and the individual may also be exhibiting behaviors other than talking about suicide. Someone who is actively thinking about suicide may be at a higher risk in carrying out his/her plan. Any time someone is talking about taking their life, it should be taken seriously.
Myth: Suicide or suicidal ideation is caused by mental illness.
Fact: While individuals who struggle with mental illness can experience thoughts or attempts at suicide, it does not necessarily mean that their mental illness caused their suicidal thoughts. Individuals can experience suicidal thoughts by having big life changes (both positive and negative), being isolated and having no support, feeling trapped or stuck, experiencing relationship problems, etc.
Myth: If someone really wants to die, they’ll find a way, and there’s nothing you can do to stop them.
Fact: This can be true in some instances, but most suicides are not sudden or impulsive and there are often many warning signs. If someone has expressed thoughts of suicide or has warning signs, then there is still hope that they can get support and save their life. If there are warning signs, it is important to listen to the individual, ask if they are thinking about suicide, and encourage them to seek support.
Sources: WWP Talk Director Sonal Patel and WWP Talk managers Erika Myers, Nelson Lorenzo, Nicole Saunders, and Reginald Adeogun.
Warrior Care Network® has helped countless veterans take back their lives.
— WOUNDED WARRIOR CHRIS HOFF
THERE WAS A DARK MOMENT WHEN I THOUGHT ABOUT TAKING MY OWN LIFE. THE DAY THE PHONE RANG — IT WAS WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT, AND THEY WANTED TO CHECK ON ME TO SEE IF I WAS OKAY.”
In 2004, on only his third day in Afghanistan, Chris suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during Humvee rollover training. But, like many TBIs at the time, it went undiagnosed, and he was sent back to work. A few days later, Chris’ unit lost six soldiers.
After returning home, Chris’ post-traumatic stress disorder sent him into a downward spiral and he contemplated taking his own life.
He believes that Wounded Warrior Project® Warrior Care Network and the more than 170 hours of intensive mental health treatments he received saved his life.
“I am a ten times different person today because of how the program is structured. I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t gone.”
