stopsuicide

Suicide is something that happens daily and each case of it is poignant and deeply impacting to those left behind. Lately, thanks to the global reach of the media, our ability to share anything in nanoseconds, and, let’s face it, the celebrity factor of the more recent deaths by suicide, we have been able to gain profound insight into this issue as well as contemplate the after effects of the suicide attempts.
There is an enormous body of research that exists to discuss the impact of suicide deaths on survivors (friends and family left behind), in this article I’d like to talk about the stigma that exists for those who attempted suicide themselves and remained alive – in hopes that it brings awareness and change in the treatment of those who need our support more than ever. While not completely certain how attempted suicide stigmatizing became so egregious in our society, many researchers guess that the roots of it date back to the times when suicide was illegal and was, almost ironically, punishable by death in most civilizations, should the suicide attempt not end in termination of life. Even the way we speak of suicide reflects it. A typical expression is “committed” suicide – implying that it’s a crime like robbery or rape; or an act that encourages completion. Some of the stigmas or stereotypes about those who attempt to die by suicide are more subtle than that and may include the beliefs that these individuals are:
Attention-seekers
Malicious
Contagious
Cowards
Mentally Ill
Dangerous
Substance Abusers
Weak Character
Losers or Failures
Poor
Stubborn
Not spiritual enough
Immoral
Selfish
Beyond help or recovery
Depressed
Loners
Incompetent
And the list goes on. It’s interesting to note that not only do others believe these stigmatizing labels – those who attempted suicide and lived, often believe that of themselves as well. Many of these individuals feel as if they are a failure for not “finishing the job” or that their loved ones are now ashamed of them as if they’ve transacted a morally questionable act. In one study, most respondents said they would not date someone who had attempted suicide and almost half of the responders stated they would not purchase the house next door to them. Attempters are frequently viewed as somehow betraying their families and friends, as well as constantly questioned as to why they attempted. In this attempt to explain, it is often assumed that the attempter is a substance abuser, mentally ill or not successful. However, when the attempter does not fit these stereotypes, the judgment becomes even more harsh as the public struggles to understand. They then hear stigmas such as “ungrateful”, “weak”, “impulsive” – implying that a suicide requires a set of specific reasons. They also tend to get viewed as “failures” – instead of celebrating their ability to continue living, they are being judged and stigmatized on their inability to “complete” the suicide.

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