Language Around Suicide

People often say:

ý “Committed Suicide” Why this is stigmatizing…

The word “commit” holds a negative connotation as people “commit murder” and “commit sins.”

Instead, try this:

þ “Died by suicide” This is direct and avoids judgment.

Language around suicide

People often say:

ý “Successful Suicide” Why this is stigmatizing…

“Success” is linked with positive accomplishments. Using this term to describe suicide is insensitive to those who have lost someone to suicide.

Instead, try this:

þ “Died by suicide” This is direct and avoids judgment.

Language around suicide

People often say:

ý

“Failed suicide attempt” “Unsuccessful suicide”

Why this is stigmatizing…

These words are judgmental. A suicide attempt survivor may already feel they have failed in aspects of life. Using terms like “fail” and “unsuccessful” incorrectly validates these feelings.

Instead, try this:

þ

“Attempted Suicide” “Suicide Attempt”

This is direct and avoids judgment.

Language around suicide

People often say:

ý

“I would rather kill myself” “Just shoot me now”

Why this is stigmatizing…

Society has allowed the use of these words for dramatic effect.

This minimizes the actual struggle and pain experienced by people struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Instead, try this:

þ “I would rather do anything else” It expresses not wanting to do something without minimizing the pain of individuals thinking about suicide and death.

Language around suicide

People often say:

ý “What about your family and friends?”

Why this is stigmatizing…

This induces guilt instead of hope. People struggling with suicidal thoughts often feel like a burden to the people closest to them. This phrase also assumes that family and friends are their reasons for living.

Instead, try this:

þ “What are things in life that give you hope?”

This allows the person to identify their reasons for living.

Language around suicide