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Read moreStigma can add a significant burden to people affected by suicide, leading to feelings of shame and rejection. So how can we overcome the stigma about suicide?
Stigma can add a significant burden to anyone affected by suicide, leading to feelings of shame and a reluctance to seek help. Stigma is based on negative beliefs or attitudes. It is often rooted in a lack of understanding of the complexity of suicide.
There are many myths about suicide that perpetuate the stigma. Common labels people apply to the person who has ended their life include ‘they are selfish’ or ’they took the easy way out’. People who have made an attempt on their life also face stigmatisation and are sometimes viewed as ‘attention-seekers’. These myths are not true and need to be dispelled to end the stigma.
Suicide stigma negatively impacts people in the following ways:
If you are experiencing stigma about suicide, overcoming it may not be an easy task, but there are things you can do to help deal with it:
According to the Mental Health Commission, suicidal distress, suicide attempts, and suicide will affect most Australians at some point in their lives, often with long-lasting impacts. It also has wide-reaching impacts on families, carers and communities.[3] So, what can we do to help break the stigma of suicide to ensure more people get the help they need?
If you or someone you know is struggling and want to speak to a professional counsellor, SuicideLine Victoria is available 24/7. Call us on 1300 651 251 or you can click on the floating chat button on the right to access online counselling.
If it is an emergency, call 000.
References
[1] National Suicide Prevention Adviser. Compassion First: Designing our national approach from the lived experience of suicidal behaviour. Canberra; December 2020.
[2] Peters K, Cunningham C, Murphy G, Jackson D. ‘People look down on you when you tell them how he died’: Qualitative insights into stigma as experienced by suicide survivors. Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2016 Jun;25(3):251-7. doi: 10.1111/inm.12210. Epub 2016 Feb 18. PMID: 26889754.
[3] National Suicide Prevention Adviser. Connected and Compassionate: Implementing a national whole of governments approach to suicide prevention (Final Advice). Canberra; December 2020.
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Read moreSuicide can be a complex and sensitive topic that is often surrounded by myths and misconceptions. To help break the stigma of talking about suicide, we look at some common suicide myths and facts. We hope this will help you reach out to someone in your life who may be overwhelmed and not coping.
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