Test Your Knowledge
Take the following “True or False” test to learn about the facts myths
concerning suicide.
(Information provided, in part, by the American
Association of Suicidology)
1. People who talk about suicide don’t really do it.
threaten directly to kill themselves or comment about such
things as wishing to be dead. Also, there is a reference
in many cases that they are a burden to their family
and friends and that everyone would be better off without
them. These type of remarks are to be taken seriously.
2. Talking about suicide encourages it. The best
thing to do is ignore it.
prevent. Talking about suicide shows that a person cares
and you may be the first person that the suicidal
person has been able to talk to about the idea.
3. Only a certain type of person commits suicide.
4. Suicide is a lower class phenomenon or suicide
occurs in only certain ethnic groups.
Suicide happens in all levels of society and in all ethnic groups.
5. Suicide is inherited and runs in certain
families.
Suicide does not run in families but if a parent
of an adolescent or another significant family member has committed
suicide, the chance of her/him committing suicide is 50% higher.
6. Suicidal people are mentally ill.
Sorry…..that is incorrect, try again.
Although many suicidal people are depressed, distraught,
and upset, the majority of them could not be diagnosed
as mentally ill.
7. People under a psychiatrist’s care rarely
commit suicide.
8. An unsuccessful attempt at suicide is not to be
taken seriously.
Four out of five people who commit suicide have
attempted at least once before. An unsuccessful attempt is
to be taken very seriously so that the person can
receive some help.
9. When a person talks about killing her/himself,
s/he is just looking for attention.
It is a cry for help, please try
to have the person receive some help.
10. When a person attempts suicide or commits suicide, it
usually is an impulsive act.
For the majority of people who attempt or
commit suicide, it is found that they have been
thinking about suicide for a long time.
11. If a person has been depressed and the depression starts
to lift then s/he is finally out of danger.
This is often the most likely time that a person
will attempt/commit suicide because the energy level
has increased. Do not let up on support at this time.