Talking About Suicide and Grief

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is immensely difficult, but losing a loved one to suicide can significantly augment the level of pain and trauma. However, it is important to remember that the majority of individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts and actions do not have a desire to end their lives. They typically feel deep despair and are longing for their suffering to cease. 

This indicates that individuals contemplating suicide frequently react favorably to offers of assistance, which is why learning how to talk about suicide and grief in a safe environment can benefit both you and those in your surroundings. 

Unfortunately, it is common for individuals to feel uneasy or anxious discussing suicide, which is completely understandable. It may seem difficult, individual, or even risky.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Removing the stigma around speaking about suicide can result in timely intervention and prevention, saving countless precious lives that would otherwise succumb to a terrible demise.

Here’s how you can play your part. 

How Conversations about Suicide & Grief Can Make a Difference

The suicide rate in the U.S. dropped from 14.2 per 100,000 people in 2018 to 13.5 in 2020. Nevertheless, in 2022, the most recent year data accessible, the rate has climbed back up to 14.2 deaths per 100,000 Americans, as indicated by researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, even with such alarming statistics, it is possible to prevent suicidal deaths. Although clinical support and professional crisis services are crucial for individuals at risk of suicide, there is also a significant role that you can take on. 

Don’t Hesitate to Start a Conversation 

It is essential to have individuals in our families, workplaces, schools, and communities who are able to identify the warning signs of suicide, approach those at risk, initiate conversations, offer assistance, and ensure ongoing support. 

This offers a safety cushion for someone who could otherwise miss out on assistance. It also demonstrates that individuals are concerned. Extending a sincere sense of care and understanding can have a positive impact.

How You Talk About Suicide Matters

Talking about suicide and grief must be approached cautiously and thoughtfully because the way we discuss suicide can directly affect those struggling with such thoughts. These individuals might require support in organizing their thoughts and behaviors, developing a safety plan, and seeking assistance.

Many people used to believe that discussing suicide could potentially plant negative thoughts in someone’s mind, leading to a reluctance to even offer words of encouragement. However, research shows that this avoidance is unproductive. 

Individuals going through suicidal ideation must realize that they have support. In fact, recognizing and discussing suicide could actually decrease, instead of enhance suicidal thoughts, and could result in mental health improvements in individuals seeking treatment. 

Here are some tips to ensure a mature and productive conversation about suicide while respecting the individual’s boundaries and preferences:

• Encourage open discussions about mental health, grief, potential concerns, and the importance of seeking assistance.
• Give importance to all conversations or dialogues regarding suicide.
• Use accurate terminology and show empathy and respect in your language.
• Ask open-ended questions to keep the conversation going.
• Refrain from using language that is stigmatizing, exaggerated, or accusatory, for example saying ‘commit suicide’ which means wrong-doing, or referring to previous suicide attempts as ‘successes’ or ‘failures.’
• Don’t rush to offer solutions – exploring the person’s feelings and hearing them out is the main goal. Be calm, patient, and supportive.
• Always take action when you suspect there is a possibility that someone is considering suicide.

Save a Life – Remove the Stigma Around Discussing Suicide & Grief 

Knowing how to discuss mental health is a crucial ability. Many individuals experience unease and lack of readiness, leading to the possibility that the conversation may never begin. However, because of the increasing number of cases annually, the discussion on suicide is more crucial now than ever before.

In reality, avoiding discussion or writing about suicide allows shame and stigma to develop. The more we thoughtfully talk about suicide and follow evidence-based guidelines, the better we become at navigating these challenging discussions as a society. Good reporting can enhance the chances of individuals seeking assistance.

More importantly, discussions about suicide and grief must involve more than just social workers or mental health professionals. The discussion should be extended to all individuals within our community, in a manner that promotes the open and well-informed exchange we have outlined.

By openly discussing suicide with empathy, we can provide comfort to individuals in distress, showing them that it is acceptable to share their suicidal thoughts. This aims to identify those silently suffering and promote interpersonal connections. Utilizing that link has the potential to avert a suicide attempt and provides the opportunity to timely connect individuals with mental health experts for additional assistance.

• Does asking about suicide and related behaviors induce suicidal ideation? What is the evidence?
• Does talking about suicide make someone more likely to commit suicide?
• How To Talk About Suicide. 
• Suicide Grief: Coping with a Loved One’s Suicide.