Are You in Crisis?

Inside Alberta
Outside Alberta

Are you feeling suicidal?
Do you know someone who is feeling suicidal?

Myths about Suicide

There are many myths about adolescent suicide.  Not having correct information may prevent you from helping someone who may be at risk.

Here are some common myths and facts:

Young people do not know about suicide.

Not true.  Suicide is more familiar to adolescents than adults might think.  Numerous surveys report adolescents have not only thought about suicide themselves but also know someone who has attempted or died by suicide.

Talking about suicide will give my friend the idea to attempt suicide.

This myth is one of the big, persistent ones but it is not true.  Asking a friend if he or she is thinking about suicide will give them the opportunity to speak openly about their distress. When you ask, you show that you care.  Your support may encourage your friend to seek help.

Suicide happens without warning.

Suicide very rarely happens without any warning at all.  Even when a friend’s suicidal behaviour seems impulsive, there likely have been prior warning signs and behaviours – she might have talked about having no reason to live or he may have been giving away some prized possessions.

If my friend is suicidal now, he will be suicidal forever.

No, your friend’s suicidal thoughts may be related to a temporary situation that is causing him great stress or emotional pain.  These feelings will pass especially if he has help to work through this difficult time in his life.

My friend will be angry if I try to help her.

Yes, your friend might become angry or defensive when you first offer to help her.  She may be embarrassed by or ashamed of her suicidal thoughts or she may think she does not need help. Sometimes friends resist offers of help as a way of testing how much you are prepared to help them.

My friend seems to be feeling better so he is no longer at risk.

Unfortunately, this is not necessarily true.  A sudden improvement in his emotional state may mean she has made the decision to act on her thoughts of suicide.  She still needs your help – perhaps even more than ever.