Suicide is not easy to discuss. It Sometimes we avoid it, thinking, “that could never be me”, or, “I would never do that.” I often hear the stigmatizing opinions that suicide is “a sin” or “selfish.”
Of course, everyone has the right to their opinion, however I do not believe that attempting to make someone feel bad for having suicidal thoughts is necessarily ethical. I propose that we instead attempt to understand why they are feeling this way, and instead of scolding them for feeling that way, we offer them an outlet - whether this is treatment or just someone to talk to.
As both a psychology major and an intern in the field of substance use, I have learned throughout my college years that suicidal thoughts do not discriminate. I have met people of all ages, genders, races, religions, and socio- economic statuses who have disclosed that they experience suicidal thoughts. I have lost multiple good friends to suicide. I have learned that grieving is not easy, and that losing a friend is even harder.
Attempting to understand suicide is not necessarily an easy task to do either. The severity and intensity of emotions that are involved can be overwhelming, and it is difficult to comprehend why loved ones would want to hurt themselves.
Looking at it through their lens however, I can understand that they did not want to hurt anymore. I can understand feeling so low and not knowing what else to do about it. I can understand not wanting to talk about it in such a stigmatizing society. I can understand being sick and tired of feeling like that. I can understand being scared. I can understand that the pain that they were feeling at that moment exceeded the love that they had for living.
Changing the way we think about suicide can change the way that people talk about suicide. Instead of presenting stigma and judgement when talking about it, we should instead present understanding and compassion.
So yes, although you might not personally be experiencing suicidal thoughts, there is no way to guarantee that a friend, family member, or any other loved one is also not experiencing suicidal thoughts. Suicide is more preventable by advocating and by being resourceful, than it is calling it “a sin” or “a selfish act” in attempt to prevent it.