"Talking about suicide incites people to commit suicide"
Addressing the issue in a respectful way can be an opportunity for a person at risk to ask for help. Creating spaces where people can talk about suicide can help those who are thinking about it and shed light on resources to prevent it.
Consequences:
The person finds no relief, which may confirm their hopelessness.
"Those who say it don't do it and those who do it don't say it".
In most cases, people at risk communicate verbally or hint at their intentions. To prevent this problem, it is essential to pay attention and take action on these signs.
Consequences:
Disregarding or minimising suicidal intent as blackmail. Even if it is manipulative in intent, there is always a risk
"Only old people with serious problems commit suicide".
It is currently the leading cause of death for young people aged 15-29 years. Moreover, no problem should be underestimated; what is unimportant for someone else may be fundamental for someone else.
Consequences
Ignoring warning signs that younger people may show or whose problems we do not consider relevant and therefore not providing them with help.
"Whoever commits suicide has a mental illness".
Having mental disorders is a risk factor for developing suicidal behaviour, but it is not a necessary requirement. Most people who commit suicide do not have a mental illness.
Consequences
Failure to notice warning signs in people who are not mentally disordered and to provide them with the necessary support
"The person with suicidal behaviour is determined to die".
People who engage in suicidal behaviour do not want to die, they just want to end the pain they feel. At that point they see no alternative to their suffering.
Consequences
It leads us to think that there is nothing we can do about it and not to take preventive measures.
"Suicide cannot be prevented".
Suicidal behaviour can and must be prevented. Awareness raising, prevention of risk factors and promotion of protective factors are essential against suicide. Suicide is difficult to predict, but preventable
Consequences
As in the previous point, it leads to inaction and disregard for the importance of protective factors.
"He who commits suicide is a coward/brave".
Suicide has nothing to do with cowardice or bravery but with suffering and hopelessness.
Consequences
It reduces our ability to understand suicide as a complex phenomenon. It may encourage inappropriate attitudes of admiration or contempt.
"If you challenge a suicide, you don't try".
The person who is thinking about suicide is suffering intensely and cannot find a way to cope with the situation. Challenge is an irresponsible act
Consequences
The person feels even more alone and misunderstood.