How We Discuss Suicide: The Impact of Language

By Ryan Eberst | Sept. 18

In Season 2, Episode 19 of The Office, Michael Scott responds with exaggerated sympathy upon hearing that his employee, Kevin, received a "negative" result on his cancer test. In his signature fashion, Michael confuses the medical meaning of "negative" (indicating no cancer) with the emotional connotation of "negative" (undesirable outcome). This humorous mix-up works well on television but can have real-world implications when discussing mental health.

As we observe Suicide Prevention Month in September, it's crucial to scrutinize our language surrounding suicide and assess whether our terminology contributes positively or negatively to suicide prevention efforts.

The term "commit suicide" is deeply ingrained in our vocabulary, often used without a second thought. However, when we consider other mental health crises, we don't employ the word "commit." We don't say someone "committed" a psychotic episode or that someone with an addiction "committed" a relapse. Instead, we describe these experiences as episodes or relapses.

The term "commit" is typically associated with crimes, such as committing fraud, burglary, or assault. When we apply legal language to describe psychological experiences, we unintentionally moralize the suffering of individuals grappling with suicidal thoughts. Suicidal thoughts and actions should not be seen as moral failings but as symptoms of intense suffering, stemming from feelings of desperation and hopelessness.

Even more disturbingly, the medical community often discusses suicide attempts in terms of "success" or "failure." In this framework, a completed suicide is considered successful, while a survivor of an attempt is labeled as a failure. This approach is incredibly damaging to individuals who have survived suicide attempts, as it implies that they, too, are failures.

If using the term "committing suicide" reflects the medicalization and criminalization of mental health language, then labeling attempts as successes or failures takes this trend to an extreme.

When we employ language that criminalizes and moralizes suicide, we unconsciously perpetuate stigma. This added layer of guilt and shame further burdens those experiencing suicidal thoughts. At the onset of suicidal ideation, individuals not only wrestle with the desire to end their lives but also internalize the belief that there is something morally and criminally wrong with them. Therefore, it is imperative that we alter our language to convey empathy and human connection.

The Center for Addiction and Mental Health has developed a brief pamphlet outlining the necessary changes in our suicide-related language. For instance, instead of saying someone "committed suicide," we can humanize the discussion by saying they "died by suicide" or "survived a suicide attempt." Instead of referring to a "successful suicide," we can convey the same message without stigmatization by saying "a fatal suicidal attempt." This shift removes blame and shame from the equation and emphasizes empathy and care.

If Kevin's cancer test had been "positive" for cancer, no one would suggest that he "committed" cancer. And if he had passed away from it, no one would label it a "successful" cancer. These statements seem absurd, and even the tone-deaf Michael Scott wouldn't say them. Yet, we routinely use similar language when discussing those grappling with suicidal ideation, often without reflection or awareness.

To make progress in suicide prevention, we must be mindful of our language and the implicit messages it conveys. Transitioning from medical and criminal terminology to a more humanized language is a crucial first step in the journey to prevent suicide.

*Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. You can talk to someone you trust or call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at #988, where trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 to provide support and guidance. Your mental health matters, and there is help available.*

Resources:

The Center for Addiction and Mental Health: Words matter. Learning how to talk about suicide in a hopeful, respectful way has the power to save lives.