Myths Around Suicide

People that talk about it don’t take their own lives.
Warnings are often given by those who intend to kill themselves

Suicide occurs mainly among the rich/ the poor…..
Suicide occurs in all groups in society.

If someone is feeling suicidal it is a sign of mental illness
It is often a sign of deep despair or unhappiness which is not necessarily mental illness.

Suicidal people are intent on dying.
Often a suicidal person is ambivalent as to whether they live or die.
Some desire to live is retained but death appears the only solution, a way to escape the pain.

Suicide is seen as a choice.
Often there is no choice, there seems no other option.

Suicide is more common in young men.
The highest growth area for suicide is young men aged 18 - 24 but older men are at the highest risk of taking there own lives.