a) People who talk about suicide don’t do it — suicide happens without warning.

Not always. Although suicide can be an impulsive act, it is often well thought out and communicated to others, but people ignore the clues or are unaware of the warning signs.

b) Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.

No. Raising the question of suicide without shock or disapproval shows that you are taking the person seriously and responding to their pain. You are not planting a suicidal thought but trying to find out if they have it.

c) Suicide rates are higher for people from of low income groups.

No. Suicide shows little prejudice to economic status. While poverty of financial crisis is sometimes a cause of suicide, having economic resources does not make one immune to suicide.

d) More men complete suicide than women.

Yes. Although women attempt suicide more often than men, men are two to three times more likely to successfully complete a suicide. Generally, men tend to use more lethal methods than women.

e) Most suicidal people are undecided about living or dying, and they gamble with death, leaving it to others to save them…

Yes, Suicidal people are often undecided about living or dying right up to the last minute; many gamble that others will save them. That is why when they call a help line, we can influence their thinking and help them live.

f) Once a person is suicidal, he/she is suicidal forever.

No. People who want to kill themselves will not always feel suicidal or constantly be at a high risk for suicide. Most often suicidal thought and ideas are only temporary and they pass.

g) If a person really wants to kill him/herself, no one has the right to stop him/her.

No. Suicide does not have only one victim; family, friends, classmates, colleagues also suffer from the loss of a life. You would try to save someone if you saw them drowning, wouldn’t you? why should suicide be any different?

h) Most suicides are caused by a single dramatic and traumatic event.

Not always. Precipitating factors may trigger a suicidal decision; but more typically the deeply troubled person has suffered long periods of unhappiness, depression, lack of self respect, has lost the ability to cope with life and has no hope for the future.

i) Improvement following a serious personal crisis or serious depression means that the risk of suicide is over…

No. The risk of suicide may be the greatest as the depression lifts. The suicidal person may have new energy to carry out their suicide plan. Sometimes, people on medication for depression are a higher risk for suicide.

j) It’s unhelpful to talk about suicide to a person who is depressed.

No. Depressed persons need emotional support and empathy; encouraging them to talk about their suicidal feelings can be therapeutic as a first step.

k) People who complete suicide have not sought medical help prior to their attempt.

Not necessarily. Suicidal individuals often exhibit physical symptoms as part of their depression and might seek medical treatment for their physical ailments. Very often suicidal individuals seek counselling/medical help but are frustrated when they do not see immediate results.

(Source: Suicide Helpline, Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi)