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Recognising and Handling Suicidal Thoughts

Nearly all of us at some point have had thoughts of suicide. For most, these thoughts are fleeting and immediately shrugged off, but for others, suicidal thoughts are a persistent problem that can lead to the act itself.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, about 2,100 people in Australia will commit suicide this year. Efforts to recognize the problem and provide support have been helpful. Over the past decade, suicide deaths in Australia have decreased by more than 20 percent. Recognizing danger signs such as persistent thoughts of suicide can help you save your own life or a loved ones.

What is Suicide?

Despite the decrease in suicide rates over the past few decades, suicide still remains somewhat of a taboo and an unspoken topic in our society. No one wants to talk about it. People are afraid to ask about it. But why is this? Why are we afraid to ask “what is suicide?” and what causes it?

Many people are under the false belief that if they mention suicide or ask someone if they are contemplating suicide that they’ll somehow put the “idea” in their mind and be the reason behind that person taking their own life. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Suicide isn’t as simple as many of us may think. Asking “what is suicide?” or watching movies, reading, or discussing the idea of killing oneself isn’t what causes suicide; the primary cause behind suicide is depression.

Crisis and Community Information Western Sydney