Suicide Awareness Month: Breaking the Myths About Suicide

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, don’t leave them alone. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. In the United States, you can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can contact 988 for yourself or because you’re concerned about someone else.

September is Suicide Awareness Month—a time to talk more openly about suicide, recognize warning signs, and remind people that help is available. At Mountain View Counseling, we believe honest conversations can be part of prevention. One way we can make those conversations easier is by challenging some of the common myths and stereotypes surrounding suicide.

Myth #1: “People who are suicidal always look depressed.”

Reality: Suicidal thoughts don’t always look the way we expect.

Someone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts may be visibly sad, withdrawn, or hopeless. But they may also appear completely “fine” from the outside. They may go to work, take care of their kids, make jokes, keep up with friends, or smile when someone asks how they’re doing. Some people become very good at hiding their pain, which is why we can’t rely solely on appearances. A person doesn’t have to look miserable for their pain to be real.

Myth #2: “If someone were truly suicidal, they wouldn’t tell anyone.”

Reality: Talking about suicide can be a sign that someone is struggling and needs support.

People experiencing suicidal thoughts can feel conflicted. They may desperately want their pain to stop while also wanting someone to understand what they’re going through. Talking about suicide doesn’t necessarily mean someone has made a decision; it can be a way of expressing distress, hopelessness, exhaustion, or a desire for things to change. If someone tells you they’re thinking about suicide, take them seriously. You don’t need to have the perfect response or solve everything. Start by listening.

Myth #3: “Asking someone if they’re suicidal will put the idea in their head.”

Reality: Asking directly does not cause someone to become suicidal.

This is one of the most persistent myths about suicide and one of the reasons people sometimes avoid having an important conversation. If you’re worried about someone, it’s okay to ask directly, “Are you thinking about suicide?” You’re not planting an idea by asking. You’re giving the person an opportunity to talk honestly about something they may have been afraid to say out loud. Sometimes, simply knowing that someone is willing to ask—and willing to listen—can help a person feel less alone.

Myth #4: “Suicide only happens when someone is going through a major crisis.”

Reality: Suicide is complex, and there isn’t always one obvious cause.

Sometimes suicide follows a major life event such as a breakup, job loss, financial stress, grief, relationship conflict, or another significant change. But there isn’t always one identifiable event. Someone may have been struggling for months or years, with multiple stressors building over time. Mental health concerns, trauma, isolation, substance use, relationship difficulties, chronic stress, and many other factors can contribute. We don’t have to understand exactly why someone feels the way they do before we can take their pain seriously.

Myth #5: “Someone who talks about suicide is just looking for attention.”

Reality: A person talking about suicide is communicating that something is seriously wrong.

The word “attention” can carry a lot of judgment. But if someone is hurting badly enough that they’re talking about wanting to die, the important question isn’t whether they’re seeking attention. It’s why they need someone to notice their pain. A suicidal statement should never be dismissed as manipulation, drama, or an attempt to get attention. Even if you’re unsure what the person means, it’s safer to take the statement seriously and respond with compassion.

Myth #6: “If someone survives a suicide attempt, the problem is solved.”

Reality: Surviving an attempt doesn’t mean the underlying pain has disappeared.

A suicide attempt is a serious sign that someone needs support—not proof that they’re “better” because they’re still here. Recovery can take time and may involve professional mental health care, support from loved ones, medication when appropriate, safety planning, and learning healthier ways to cope with overwhelming emotions. The goal isn’t simply to get someone through one difficult moment. It’s to help them build a life they want to continue living.

Myth #7: “There’s nothing I can do if someone is suicidal.”

Reality: You don’t have to be a mental health professional to make a difference.

You can’t single-handedly fix another person’s mental health, and you aren’t responsible for doing so. But you can listen, stay with them, take them seriously, and help them connect with professional support. You don’t need to know exactly what to say. Sometimes the most helpful words are simple: “I’m glad you told me,” “You don’t have to go through this alone,” or “Let’s get some help together.”

What If You’re Worried About Someone?

You don’t need to wait until you’re certain that someone is suicidal before checking in. If you’ve noticed someone withdrawing, talking about feeling hopeless or like a burden, saying goodbye in an unusual way, experiencing a significant change in behavior, or making comments about not wanting to be here anymore, consider reaching out. Ask how they’re doing and listen without immediately trying to fix the situation.

Suicide Prevention Starts With Connection

Suicide can be an uncomfortable subject to talk about. We may worry about saying the wrong thing, making someone uncomfortable, or crossing a boundary. But avoiding the conversation doesn’t make the pain disappear.

Sometimes prevention begins with something very simple: notice, ask, listen, and stay connected. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be willing to start the conversation.

And if you’re the person struggling, please know this: you don’t have to wait until things become unbearable to ask for help. You deserve support before you reach a crisis point. At Mountain Valley Counseling we have many therapists who are here to help.

September may be Suicide Awareness Month, but conversations about mental health, connection, and support don’t have to end when September does.