Died by Suicide – Language Matters
It is died by suicide. Not committed suicide. This distinction matters, and it personally matters to me. I had a relative who died by suicide.
“The phrase ‘committed suicide’” …ignores the fact that suicide is often the consequence of an unaddressed illness (like depression, trauma or another mental health issue). It should be regarded in the same way as any physical health condition, said Dan Reidenberg [PsyD], the executive director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.
“‘You don’t ‘commit a heart attack.’ Instead, you might hear someone say they ‘died from a heart attack.’ Dying by suicide is the same. … When attaching the word ‘committed,’ it further discriminates against those who lost their battle against a disease,’” he explained. Quoted from an article by Lindsay Holmes in her Huffington Post Article, “Why You Should Stop Saying ‘Committed Suicide’,” appearing March 26, 2019 and update September 1, 2020.
It’s died by suicide. Not committed suicide. Language matters and can help with suicide prevention.
I’m heartened to see the way the media, mental health providers, suicide prevention groups and other organizations have made the shift. Unfortunately, there are many people who have not. And one of their most common reactions is, “How could they commit suicide? How could do that to their family; their friends?!?” There was a time when I asked those same questions. It wasn’t until I immersed myself in studying the emerging and advancing brain and mental health research this past 18 years that I know differently.
Yes, it is true that death by suicide is caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die, but the idea the person was of healthy mind (meaning their brain was functioning in a healthy manner) with suicide on their list of lifetime achievements is ludicrous!
So…
What Leads to Death by Suicide
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention explains,
“There’s no single cause for suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors and health issues converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is often undiagnosed or untreated. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance problems, especially when unaddressed, increase risk for suicide. Yet it’s important to note that most people who actively manage their mental health conditions go on to engage in life (emphasis added).”
And as with all physical or mental health disorders, there are contributing risk factors. In the case of suicide, these include:
- Health
- Mental health conditions like depression, substance use problems, bipolar disorder…
- Serious physical health conditions, including pain
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Environmental
- Access to lethal means including firearms and drugs
- Prolonged stress, such as harassment, bullying, relationship problems or unemployment
- Stressful life events, like rejection, divorce, financial crisis, other life transitions or loss
- Exposure to another person’s suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of suicide
- Historical
- Previous suicide attempts
- Family history of suicide
- Childhood abuse, neglect or trauma
Source: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, “Risk Factors, Protective Factors and Warning Signs
Explaining a Common Suicide Risk Factor – Depression
I’m including this section to zero in on this particular risk factor – depression – to explain my statement above, “Yes, it is true that death by suicide is caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die, but the idea the person was of healthy mind (meaning their brain was functioning in a healthy manner) with suicide on their list of lifetime achievements is ludicrous!”
So to explain just one of the risk factors, I share SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voice of Education’s) website explanation of the brain changes that can result in depression:
“Basically, here’s how it works: the nerves in our brain don’t touch each other, but rather pass messages from one to the next through chemicals called neurotransmitters. We need just the right amount of this chemical between the nerves to pass the exact same message to the next nerve. If there isn’t enough of that chemical, the message doesn’t get passed along correctly and in this case, depression or a depressive illness can result. When it comes to depressive disorders the chemicals most frequently out of balance are serotonin and norepinephrine.
“A person living with depression oftentimes experiences completely different thoughts before and after a depressive episode. This can be a result of a chemical imbalance and can lead to the person not understanding the options available to help them relieve their suffering. Many people who suffer from depression report feeling as though they’ve lost the ability to imagine a happy future, or remember a happy past. Often they don’t realize they’re suffering from a treatable illness, and seeking help may not even enter their mind. Emotions and even physical pain can become unbearable. They don’t want to die, but it’s the only way they feel their pain will end. It is a truly irrational choice. Suffering from depression is involuntary, just like cancer or diabetes, but it is a treatable illness that can be managed.”
To Learn More
Visit the following websites:
And if you’d like to learn more about the brain and how it develops and works, check out my PDF, Basic Brain Facts.
If You or Someone You Know Needs Help
Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
- Use the online Lifeline Crisis
Both are free and confidential. You’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor in your area.
For more information, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.org.
You can also connect 24/7 to a crisis counselor by texting the Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741.
Lisa Frederiksen
Latest posts by Lisa Frederiksen (see all)
- Does a Loved One Have to Hit Bottom? - November 20, 2022
- Resources for Parents of Children with Substance Use and Mental Disorders - October 18, 2022
- 4 Things to Support Brain Health and Function for Recovery - August 30, 2022
The title of Lindsay Holmes’ HuffPost article is incorrect. The correct title is “Why You Should Stop Saying ‘Committed Suicide’”
Thank you for the correction – it’s been made.