NINE MYTHS ABOUT SUICIDE IN AUSTRALIA
'Suicide cannot be prevented'
The factors contributing to suicide are complex and highly individual to the person, life experiences, situation, context, and other factors. Preventing suicide is possible with ongoing effort and support.
Effective population-level prevention strategies, such as early identification and treatment of mental health issues, social support, creating economic conditions that decrease stress on populations, reducing access to lethal methods, and education and awareness campaigns, can help prevent suicide. On an individual level, support that is compassionate, person-centred, and includes safety-planning and evidence-based care can make a meaningful difference to people experiencing suicidal crisis.
'If a person has thoughts of suicide, they will die by suicide'
Whilst experiencing thoughts of suicide can be incredibly distressing, thoughts in and of themselves do not mean the person will die by suicide. While one in six Australians report having experienced serious thoughts of taking their own life at some point in their lives (ABS, 2022), with the right support and prevention strategies, people can manage these thoughts and live safe and meaningful lives.
'Asking someone if they are suicidal will make them more likely to attempt suicide'
Asking someone if they are suicidal, in a compassionate and non-judgemental way, can actually help them to feel heard and supported. Research has shown that asking about suicide can reduce risk by providing an opportunity for the person to express their feelings and connect with support and resources. Talking about suicide will not ‘put the idea in their heads’ or make it more likely for someone to take their own life.
You don't have to be an expert in suicide prevention to start a conversation with someone who may be struggling. What you say is less important than how you say it, and the care and empathy you show. Simply expressing your concern and willingness to listen can make a big difference.
Visit our Support Toolkit to learn more on how to start the conversation if you are worried about someone.
'People will always find a way to kill themselves if they want to'
Research shows that restricting access to methods used in suicide can lead to a significant decrease in suicide rates - that people won’t ‘just find another way’.
This is because some people may have an impulsive or momentary urge to end their life. Removing the ability for someone to take action can give them the time and space for that urge to subside, and for them to access the help they need.
'Only people with a diagnosed mental illness are suicidal'
Many people often think of suicide as the consequence of serious mental health issues, or that people who die by suicide must have been struggling with their mental health. However, while mental illness can be a significant risk factor for suicide, many people who experience suicidal thoughts or behaviours do not have a mental illness.
Aside from mental illness, there are many other factors that can also play a role in suicidality, such as stressful life events, trauma, relationship problems, financial difficulties, substance misuse, gambling, and structural disadvantage, among others. It's important to recognise that the causes of suicide are complex, and suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, at any time.
'Only certain types of people are at risk for suicide'
Suicide can affect anyone regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, or any other demographic factor. When people believe suicide only affects certain groups, the needs of those at risk can go unnoticed. It can also lead to assumptions that suicide only affects certain groups when in reality suicide does not discriminate, and anyone may experience suicidal thoughts.
Certain groups in Australia are faced with additional layers of structural disadvantage which can place them at greater risk of suicide. Being part of one of these groups does not mean a person will die by suicide, but rather that they face extra challenges to overcome. Some of these groups include men, rural and remote Australians, First Nations Australians, LGBTQIA+ people, low socio-economic groups, people involved in the justice system, and veterans.
'People who attempt or die by suicide are 'weak''
Attempting or dying by suicide does not reflect a lack of willpower or strength, but rather, a deep sense of pain and despair. People who attempt suicide are often dealing with significant life challenges and/or a range of emotional and psychological challenges.
Labelling them as weak is not only inaccurate but can also prevent people with thoughts of suicide from seeking help when they need it.
‘Those who talk about suicide are ‘attention seeking’’
Talking about suicide is often a sign that someone is struggling and needs help. It takes courage to open up about suicidal thoughts and feelings, and dismissing them as attention-seeking can not only be hurtful, but further their sense of loneliness and isolation, placing them at greater risk of acting on their thoughts of suicide.
It's important to take any mention of suicide seriously and provide support and resources to help the person get through their crisis. We should encourage people to talk about their feelings and offer compassion and understanding, rather than stigmatising them as attention-seekers. Some people who die by suicide may never mention their suicidal thoughts or feelings to anyone at all, so every time someone talks about suicide, it should be taken seriously, and with compassion and respect.
If you don't feel able to talk to someone close to you, Lifeline is here to listen 24 hours a day 7 days a week. You can call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14, or chat via the Lifeline website.
Visit our Support Toolkit to learn more about how to support someone who is struggling or might be thinking about suicide.
'If someone is suicidal now, they will always be suicidal'
While suicidal thoughts and behaviours can be ongoing and tough to overcome, they are not always permanent, and with appropriate support, many are able to lead fulfilling lives. For some people, they may experience suicidal thoughts on an ongoing basis, but over time those suicidal thoughts can change, and people can develop resilience and strategies that help them cope with these thoughts, and live active, meaningful, and rich lives.
Out of the Shadows Walk
Walk to remember those lost, and to help support Australians in crisis.
Join us on World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10) and walk 9km anywhere for the 9 Australians who die every day by suicide.
Will was 22 when he called Lifeline for the first time.
“I’d just eaten dinner and was washing the dishes, and I just broke down into tears. I was completely overwhelmed with emotion." Will picked up the phone and called Lifeline… and then he hung up.
I felt embarrassed,” he says. “I really felt the stigma. I thought ‘what are people going to think of me?’ I ended up calling a few times. It would ring once, and then I’d hang up. Then I’d call again and hang up again. It wasn’t until the fourth try that I finally let it ring until somebody picked up. That one interaction changed so much for me. I felt at ease.”
We’re here for you.
You are not alone. No matter what you’re going through, you can connect with a trained Lifeline crisis supporter any time of the day or night, or explore the information, resources or services that feel right for you.
Crisis Support
If you or someone you know needs crisis support, please call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14, text us on 0477 13 11 14, or visit www.lifeline.org.au/get-help for our online chat service. All our crisis support services are available 24/7.
Self-led Support
Supporting all people at all stages of their wellbeing journey, the Support Toolkit provides Australians with accessible and practical resources, as well as clinically informed and plain language information, they can access and use on their own terms.
Service Finder
Use our Service Finder tool to search more than 120,000 community services in Australia.
About Lifeline
Every day, nine Australians take their own life, a heartbreaking reality that affects countless lives. While each loss is deeply felt, there is hope in our collective efforts to prevent suicide.
Suicide prevention looks different for everyone. By combining our tools, resources, services, and support, we can work together to make a difference and support those at risk.
From crisis support to counselling to self-led support; Lifeline’s many services help to ensure that the diverse needs of all Australians are met and that everyone has support available to them, when they need it, in a way that best suits them.
The reality of suicide in Australia
Suicide has a devastating impact on families, friends and whole communities. The following statistics can be confronting, behind every number is a human life. We believe most suicides are preventable and will continue to advocate, educate and work to keep people safe until we achieve our vision of an Australia free of suicide.
Every day, nine Australians die by suicide.
Over 2 million people reach out to Lifeline for support each year.
Lifeline receives a crisis support call, text or chat every 24 seconds.
