Truth or Myth:
What Do You Know About Suicide?
| __ 1. | Most suicidal people have made up their minds that they really want to die.
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| __ 2. | Mental health professionals are the only ones that can really help a suicidal person.
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| __ 3. | People who want attention talk about suicide; those who are set on killing themselves say nothing.
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| __ 4. | There is no correlation between drug and alcohol abuse and suicide.
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| __ 5. | Experts believe that for every one completed teen suicide, there are as many as two attempts.
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| __ 6. | The number one factor associate with adolescent suicide is depression and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
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| __ 7. | In Florida, more people are murdered than commit suicide each year.
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| __ 8. | The rate of adolescent suicide began increasing in the mid-1950s, while the rate for other age groups remained relatively constant.
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| __ 9. | Adolescent girls are more likely to attempt suicide than boys, but boys are more likely to complete a suicide.
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| __10. | People who are suicidal tend to hide it very well.
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| __11. | People who talk about killing themselves, make suicide threats and attempts, should always be treated seriously.
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| __12. | Most suicidal people are in long-term crisis situations.
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| __13. | If you ask a suicidal person about his suicidal intentions, you'll encourage the person to kill himself.
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| __14. | Most suicidal people develop a plan for suicide. The more specific the plan, the greater the danger.
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| __15. | A promise to keep a note unopened and unread should always be honored.
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Answer Key
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1. Myth. | Most suicidal people desperately want to live. Many will seek help immediately after attempting to harm themselves.
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2. Myth. | Interventions by mental health professionals are very important, but many suicidal individuals never see a therapist. It is important that all people who interact with a suicidal person know how to help.
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3. Myth. | All suicide threats must be taken seriously. This behavior may be a sign of deep depression, and professional help is needed. While it may, in fact, be a manipulative act, it is one that can end in death.
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4. Myth. | Alcohol, drug use and suicide often go hand in hand. Addicts are at increased risk for suicidal behavior. Even people who don't usually drink or use drugs will often use shortly before killing themselves.
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5. Myth. | The problem is even more common; for every completed youth suicide, there is an estimated 20 or more attempts by other youth.
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6. Truth. | Most suicidal people suffer some degree of depression. In young people, depression often goes undiagnosed until a crisis occurs. Depression may leave a person feeling drained, "too tired" to carry out a suicide plan. When depression begins to lift and there is a sudden improvement, be aware that this could be a very dangerous time. The three months following a period of depression is thought to be a critical time of suicide risk. The person has the energy to act, and may even appear cheerful and at peace with the world.
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7. Myth. | In Florida, suicide is the 9th leading cause of death, while homicide was 19th. In 2000 more than twice as many died by suicide (2,086) than by homicide (956). It is the 3rd leading cause of death in 15-34 year olds.
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8. Truth. | Youth suicide rates increased by 300% from the 1950s to the late 1970s. Since the late 1970s, the rates for youth suicides have remained stable.
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9. Truth. | Four times as many young men kill themselves as compared to young women. Yet, three to four times as many young women attempt suicide.
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10. Myth. | Suicidal people usually send strong warning signs. Warning signs are changes in a person's behavior that are considered to be out of character. Research shows that all individuals who attempt suicide gave clues that they intended to kill themselves.
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11. Truth. | All suicide threats should be taken seriously. Intervention should happen immediately.
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12. Myth. | The average crisis period lasts for about two weeks. The earlier the intervention the better. Anyone can start the process to get help.
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13. Myth. | Talking about suicide does not cause someone to become suicidal. Encouraging someone to talk about pent-up emotions through a frank discussion shows that you care and are willing to help.
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14. Truth. | Once the idea of suicide has been considered, they have to plan the time, place, and means to complete the act. With early intervention, there is less time to plan.
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15. Myth. | Promises and confidences cannot be maintained when the potential for harm exists. A sealed note can be a serious warning sign of suicidal intent.
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Your Suicide Prevention Readiness Score
12 to 15 correct: You should be well prepared to come to the aid of a potentially suicidal person. Remember, however, that your learning of this important subject never truly ends.
10 to 12 correct: You are quite knowledgeable about many aspects of suicide prevention.
10 or fewer correct: You need to learn more about various issues surrounding suicide prevention so that you can be there when somebody needs you.
This material is adapted from The Hope Book: An Educator's Guide to Suicide Prevention - developed by the Healthy Community Coalition, an affiliate of the Franklin Community Health Network (PO Box 566, Farmington, ME 04938 - Phone: 201-778-7283)
For a printable version of "Truth or Myth: What Do You Know About Suicide?",
click here: Print Version
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