Why Do We Still Whisper the Word Suicide?

Stephanie Weber, M.S., LCPC, Executive Director,

Suicide prevention Services, Inc.

528 So. Batavia Ave.

Batavia, IL 60510

Suicide Prevention education is for everyone. Just as we arm ourselves with knowledge about cancer, heart conditions, healthy living ideas, sex education and sexually transmitted diseases to mention just a few, so should we arm ourselves and our loved ones with depression education. Untreated, undiagnosed depression can lead to suicide just as poorly treated, poorly diagnosed depression can. Clinical depression, bi-polar illness, and schizophrenia are all mental illnesses. If we accept the fact that 98% of the people who take their own lives are mentally ill (either diagnosed or undiagnosed) then we have a situation that the majority of the public is not aware of and certainly not educated on.

Depression and suicide education is no different than being educated about diabetes. Everyone can benefit from as little as an hour's worth of education. High schools can (and some have!) incorporate suicide education in their health classes. Teaching the myths and facts of suicide, the warning signs, and where and when to go for help is vital. One of our teaching tools is the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) program which we equate to CPR. Many, many people sign up and complete CPR classes. Do these people hope against hope that some day they will be able to save a life? No, probably not. They take CPR "just in case." So it is with QPR - Ask a Question, Save a Life.

From suicide prevention I will move into intervention techniques. How do you ask someone if they are planning to commit suicide? Is "commit" even the right word to use? Many, many people who have had loved ones die by their own hand resent the word "commit" - they say it sounds like their loved one committed a crime. Technically, they did! Suicide is self murder. In many states, a person who attempts to take her life but is "unsuccessful" in that attempt can be put in jail for attempted murder! In talking about the postvention of suicide, one needs to be familiar with the terminology. Postvention is the aftermath of suicide. For every completion, a minimum of 32 people are left behind to grive. What is a "survivor" ? Is it someone who attempted to take her life but lived? No, it is a family member or friend who is left behind after the suicide.

Suicide is just a word. We don't have to like the act but we do need to be able to speak the word. Thirty years ago, we did not use the word "cancer" but referred to the disease in whispers or in terminology such as, "the big C." Now, we talk about it, compare notes on treatments techniques (including alternative treatments) and have support groups for survivors and support groups for family members. Let us not wait another 30 years to be comfortable with saying the word "suicide." Let us learn to ask a question and save a life!

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