5 Reasons Why People Attempt Suicide – And How We Can End the Stigma

This has been an incredibly tough and triggering week, especially for those who struggle with mental health issues, suicidal ideation, self-harm or are mourning the loss of someone from suicide. With the tragic deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, we are reminded that these issues do not discriminate and that mental health is something that needs to be prioritized.

Unfortunately, there is still a great amount of emotional invalidation, stigma, misinformation, harmful stereotyping and shame surrounding the topic of suicide.

This includes the omission of discussing depression, abuse and complex trauma as factors which often play such important roles in tragedies like these. That’s why it’s so important to continue the conversation and to remind people that there is support out there, and people who do understand.

It’s important to talk about why suicide attempts and ideation occur. It’s important to de-stigmatize the suffering of those who may be shouldering their pain in silence. It’s important to be mindful of how we treat those who choose to share their struggles and to be mindful that not everyone may not be as open in coming forward or reaching out for help.

Here are five reasons why people attempt suicide and how we, as a society, can be more mindful of how we engage in this dialogue when someone does reach out.

READ THE ARTICLE: 5 Reasons Why People Attempt Suicide

This article contains sensitive or potentially triggering content related to suicide. If you are struggling with suicidal ideation, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Featured Photo by Shalom Mwenesi.