Understanding Suicide

If you or someone else is at risk of or has thoughts of suicide or self-harm, contact the National Suicide and Crisis Line by calling or texting 988 or text “HOME” to 741741. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. There are trained professionals who will help you during times of crisis and help you find ongoing support.

The sadness that comes when someone we care about takes their own life can feel overwhelming, and we often have many questions that go unanswered.

If you are trying to deal with your own grief or help someone else who is grieving, it's important to understand what can lead to suicide and how to talk about it.

Understanding why

Many things can lead to a person taking their own life. It usually happens when stress and mental health problems come together and make someone feel hopeless and sad.

Most of the time, a person who dies by suicide is experiencing severe emotional pain caused by mental health issues like depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. When someone is struggling with these problems, the chemicals in their brain can become unsteady or disturbed. Problems with alcohol and drugs can make things even worse. In this tough situation, a person may feel like there’s no way out and that death is the only solution to their pain.

Understanding the right language

You might hear people say, "committed suicide," but it's better to avoid using this phrase. The word "committed" can make it sound like it's a crime or a bad action. Instead, it's more helpful to think of suicide as the tragic end to mental health struggles. The term "died by suicide" is preferred because it shows respect for the person and their family.

When listening to someone talk about their feelings and experiences after losing a loved one, remember it's okay if you don’t have the right words or answers. You may not be able to erase their grief, but you can help create a supportive environment. If you want to comfort coworkers, try to avoid saying things like "they are in a better place" or "everything will be okay."

If you've lost someone to suicide

Losing someone to suicide can be incredibly painful, but you are not alone. We're here for you. We offer free and confidential counseling. Request a counseling appointment or call us at 877-313-4455.

For HR & managers

If need help addressing a loss with your team, request an HR & manager consultation.