Content Warning: This article discusses suicide but we believe difficult conversations around how best to discuss mental health in respectful and non-stigmatizing ways is important. If you are in a life threatening situation, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline +1 (800) 273-8255, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or usethese resourcesto get immediate help.

There are few words that carry as much weight — and stigma — as the word suicide.

According to theAmerican Psychiatric Association, suicide is the 10thleading cause of death in the US, claiming tens of thousands of lives each year. Even with so many deaths, frank discussions of suicide — and important actions for suicide prevention — remains taboo.

Why We Avoid Discussing Suicide

While there can be a wide range of reasons one might avoid discussing suicide prevention, many falsely believe that talking or asking someone about suicide may give them the idea, or maybe push them beyond their ability to cope with their distress. In fact, the opposite is typically true. While it’s important to know risk factors and warning signs, we also have to be willing to talk about suicide in order to prevent it.

Let’s dive further into the reasons we avoid discussing suicide:

Benefits of Talking About Suicide Prevention

Now, let’s look at the benefits of a frank conversation.Researchsuggests that asking a person about their suicidal thoughts may actually help with suicide prevention. Other benefits include reduced tension, improved connection, and offering alternate options.

Knowing someone cares can provide relief for a person who may be suicidal. Giving voice to their thoughts and expressing their feelings aloud, knowing someone is there to listen, can be truly lifesaving.

Isolation or feeling alone can also increase suicidal ideations, while connection with another person reveals a world beyond the limited view of their present state of mind.

Sometimes a person considers suicide when they can no longer see any way out of a bad situation. Mental health conditions can change their thinking, making it difficult to consider alternative options, though they may be plentiful. A supporter’s fresh perspective can offer relief or a way out.

A Therapist’s Guide to Talking About Suicide Prevention

Bringing up suicide is a daunting task, it can feel awkward and painful for you and for the person whose mental health you’re worried about. It’s better to have the conversation than to not, however; a life is far more important than the temporary awkwardness.

Be sensitive to their feelings and avoid a judgmental tone, use “I” statements, focusing on the fact you’re worried about them rather than telling them how they feel. Avoid dictating a plan or minimizing their concerns. It’s a delicate balance between support and intervention.

Here are 6 steps for having a difficult conversation with someone you’re concerned about.

A Word of Caution

While helping a person who’s having suicidal thoughts, be careful about getting in over your head. You are not a therapist. You can only support the person in a general way so they can get the help they need.

Also remember, you are not responsible for any choices they make. Someone dealing with a serious mental health problem may not make the same decisions you would. Recovery happens in fits and starts, so don’t take it personally if things don’t improve as quickly as you’d hoped.

While suicide carries stigma and shame, we can’t prevent it if we’re afraid to talk about it. For more information about warning signs and risk factors, check out theNational Institute of Mental Health’s suicide information page. If you or someone you care about is having thoughts of suicide, call1-800-273-TALKimmediately for assistance. Breaking the silence can save lives.

Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.

Articles contain trusted third-party sources that are either directly linked to in the text or listed at the bottom to take readers directly to the source.

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