FACT – Unfortunately, this is untrue. Approximately 700 000 people worldwide die by suicide each year, which is one person every 40 seconds. 

There are approximately 4 000 people who die by suicide each year in Canada. For everyone one suicide, there are roughly 20 people who attempt.

FACT – Most people who are suicidal have a mental illness.

More than 90% of people who are suicidal have a mental illness. Depression accounts for at least 50% of people who are suicidal.

That does not mean everyone who has a mental illness is suicidal. There are many people with a mental illness who are well and have learned how to manage their disorder. Mental illnesses simply put them at a higher risk to be suicidal especially if the mental illness is untreated. There are many factors which contribute to suicide.

FACT – Talking about suicide with empathy and compassion is important and can empower people to seek help.

There is a long history of shaming or ignoring people who are suicidal. The misguided belief is not talking about it so people will not think about it. They will not become suicidal. That is untrue and harmful. If you mention suicide to someone who may be at risk, it can validate their experience and empower them to get help. Talking about suicide is very important in helping people. It lets them know they are not alone and there are people who care and are willing to listen.

When you are talking about suicide, it is important to practice empathy and compassion. Sometimes, when we are uncomfortable, we make jokes or laugh about a challenging topic, but it is important to act with empathy.

FACT – There are several groups which are at a higher risk of suicide.

Youth who are 2SLGBTQ+ are at a higher risk of suicide as compared to their peers who are not 2SLGBTQ+. There are many factors which can contribute to increased suicidality. This could be due to the increased prevalence of bullying. People of the 2SLGBTQ+ community face increased discrimination. There are also societal, family, and religious pressures. In addition to outside pressures, there could also be pressures within themselves, too.

Indigenous Canadians are at a higher risk of suicide than non-Indigenous Canadians. First Nations people are 3 times higher risk for suicide than non-Indigenous; Metis Canadians are 2 times higher for suicide than non-Indigenous Canadians; Inuit Canadians are 9 times higher risk for suicide than non-Indigenous Canadians.

Men die by suicide 3 times more often than women, but women attempt suicide 3 times more often. There are a couple of reasons why this is true. The first reason is men use more lethal means (methods) than women, such as using a gun or jumping off a building. There is no time to call for help and have a change in mindset. Whereas women use less deadly methods. The other reason is society’s perception of masculinity. While ideals are shifting and evolving, there is a general sense of what it means to be a “man.” “Real men” do not show emotions other than anger; they do not ask for help, they take care of things, they get things done, they cannot be friends with women without sexual intentions, etc. These ideals are harmful to all genders. These expectations make it very difficult for men to ask for help. It is a stifling set of expectations which are completely unrealistic. Remember, emotions are not gendered. They are for everyone. If you need to cry, cry. If you need help, ask for help. There is help out there and there are people who will listen.

FACT – Sometimes people talk or joke about suicide as a way of coping with their thoughts of suicide or to see if anyone is listening.

There is no one size fits all for mental health concerns. Some people do not say much. Their actions speak for them. Others talk about suicide or joke about suicide. This could be their way of asking for help. Joking about suicide might be easier than asking for help.

Consider the following story:

“My friend would joke about suicide all the time. We never thought he would do it because he talked about it all the time. Until he killed himself.”

FACT – Suicide is not illegal in Canada.

Suicide was decriminalized in 1972 in Canada. Euthanasia (medically assisted suicide) was decriminalized in 2015.

FACT – Suicide is about ending the pain.

A common misconception is people who are suicidal want to die. Suicide is not about death. It is about ending the pain whether physical, emotion, or mental pain. The person feels like they have no other option.

Some people think people who are suicidal are selfish. That is not the case. As mentioned above, most of the people who are suicidal have a mental illness. Their brain cannot think clearly to see other options. Their brain, the part responsible for perceiving reality, is telling them their loved ones/the world would be better off without them, their death is worth more than their life, and living is selfish.  They cannot see any other option to end the pain. Part of struggling with a mental illness can make it difficult to concentrate and think clearly. Here is a question to consider: if a person who is suicidal or dies by suicide could see the devastation their death would cost and the ability to think long term, do you think they would still kill themself?

FACT – There is hope and help.

There are people to help. One of the cornerstones to suicidality is feelings of hopelessness. While the person may feel overwhelming hopelessness, there is hope. There is help. There are resources that can help them feel better. If you need resources in your area, call 211 and they will be able to assist you.