*This article discusses suicide, please take care of yourself when reading and see various avenues of support at the bottom if you are affected by any of the issues discussed*
Author: Leanne Cook
I work as a Research Assistant in suicide research at the University of Manchester, which puts me among a group of people who think about, read about and write about suicide all day, every day. In doing this, you learn the appropriate language to talk about suicide very quickly. In the past, I’ve worked in clinical environments, such as inpatient wards, where the language can be very different. I’d picked up bad habits along the way, but all were spoken with good intentions; to normalise conversation about the topic. Suicide is an immensely difficult subject, no matter how you come at it, and with such a difficult topic should come great sensitivity. However, we see the perpetual use of stigmatising language to talk about a person who has died by suicide. Some readers may know exactly what I’m talking about, but my guess is that most are wondering what exactly has ruffled my feathers so much.
The phrase ‘committed suicide’ is often used to describe someone who has taken their own life. I’ve heard friends, colleagues, peers and strangers all use such language in both innocent and professional conversation about suicide and I will often hesitate to correct them, mostly because in the past I have used the same language myself. Talking about suicide is hard and I don’t want to make it any harder, but there is a small change we can make to update our language and speak with care and sensitivity.
In 2017, 5821 deaths by suicide were recorded in the UK (Office for National Statistics, 2018). That’s 16 people a day. Until the UK Suicide Act in 1961, suicide was illegal. Yet despite the fact that suicide was decriminalised in 1961, we have yet to update our language. The implications of using the word ‘commit’ are huge. It’s a phrase which has connotations of sin, cowardice and criminality, all of which can bring feelings of shame and disgrace for people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. Such heavily stigmatising language limits help-seeking behaviours, people may not be willing to ask for help with suicide for fear of the consequences. Such language can affect the care and support that people are receiving, by using the phrase we reinforce ideas of sin and criminality which could be particularly damaging in healthcare settings.
Using the phrase ‘commit suicide’ represents a misunderstanding and a reluctance to understand those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. It is important to open up conversations, but we must do so in a way that does not perpetuate stigmatising language. We have a duty to wield our words with kindness, compassion and attention. Instigating a conscious shift away from using language like ‘commit suicide’ will help to shake off these notions of immorality. By changing our language, our actions and responses will in turn become more empathetic and considerate.
This being said, there are a number of alternatives that we should also avoid. Phrases such as ‘completed suicide’, ‘successful suicide’ and ‘unsuccessful suicide attempt’ are often used in place of ‘committed suicide’. Such words imply accomplishment or perhaps triumph at achieving a goal, both of which are implications that we do not want to associate with suicide.
Instead, we can simply speak more plainly. We can say that someone ‘ended their life’, that someone ‘died by suicide’ or that they ‘made an attempt to end their life’. It can feel clumsy to change your language but that discomfort wears off. It is our responsibility to move away from stigmatising language and encourage others to do the same. There have been a number of media campaigns calling to end the use of the phrase ‘commit suicide’ and countless academic articles requesting the same. It’s time that we step up, take responsibility and do our bit to challenge stigmatising language.
by Leanne Cook
If you or anyone you know is affected by suicide then there exists numerous avenues for support, see some below:
The Sanctuary – A safe, quiet space for people in crisis at night-time / 0300 003 7029
The Samaritans – Freephone available 24/7 to talk confidentially / 116 123
Crisis Point – Immediate or same day support for people in crisis / 0161 225 9500
University of Manchester Counselling Service
If you are concerned about an immediate risk of harm – either to yourself or someone else – then phone 111 or 999 and ask for the police or ambulance service. Or go to your nearest A&E department.
Media Campaigns and Academic Articles
https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2018/09/209429/committed-suicide-language
https://twitter.com/poornabell/status/1038083351637311490
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28286872
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1229556/pdf/cmaj_159_3_239.pdf
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