Understanding Suicide

“I’m tired” 

“Nothing makes sense anymore”

“There is nothing left to live for”

“I don’t know how much longer I can keep doing this.”

We hear these words but often don’t know what to do with them. 

Suicide can be difficult to talk about. The word itself can make people uncomfortable, and fear, stigma, and misconceptions often keep conversations from happening. The World Health Organization stated that “Suicide is a serious public health problem that requires a public health response.” Suicide is preventable, but we first need to understand it.  

So what exactly is suicide, and why do people reach a point where they consider it?

What is Suicide?

Simply put, suicide is when someone causes their own death intentionally, but there is more to it than that. Before someone tries to commit the act, they think about it; this is called Suicidal ideation which refers to contemplation of self-harm or ending one’s life. 

There is rarely one simple answer to why someone considers suicide; it can occur in the context of overwhelming emotional distress, hopelessness, psychological pain, or a crisis where a person can no longer deal with life’s stress and feels unable to see another way forward.

Some of these stresses include: financial problems, relationship disputes, changes in friendships, chronic pain or illness, changes in family life such as divorce, pressure from social media and peers, problems at school or work, loss of a loved one, and many others.

Who is at risk? 

The risk of suicide in an individual can change based on the presence and severity of various influences. Several factors that might elevate the chances of suicide include:

• Past suicide attempts
• A history of depression and other mental health issues
• Disorders related to alcohol and substance use
• Financial difficulties or unemployment
• Exposure to conflict, disasters, violence, or abuse
•  Experiencing bullying or social isolation
• Limited access to healthcare services
• Readily available lethal means
• Issues in intimate or family relationships
• Disadvantaged groups facing discrimination, including refugees, migrants, LGBTI individuals, and prisoners.

Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean that someone will attempt or die by suicide. However, recognizing them can help us identify those who may need additional support.

Recognizing the warning signs

Sometimes the signs are obvious. Sometimes they’re subtle. And sometimes the first sign is simply noticing that someone doesn’t seem like themselves. One sign alone does not necessarily mean someone is suicidal. But if you notice significant changes or you’re worried about someone, don’t ignore your concern.

Some signs to look out for include:

• They may say, “I don’t want to be here anymore.” “Life isn’t worth living.” “Everyone would be better off without me.”
• Expressing hopelessness or unbearable emotional pain
• Talking about death or suicide

• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Losing interest in things they usually enjoy
• Significant changes in sleep or eating
• Increased alcohol or drug use
• Giving away valued possessions
• Saying goodbye in unusual ways
• Sudden changes in mood or behavior
• Taking unusual risks
• Saying goodbye
• Giving away possessions 

What Should You Do?

Knowing the signs is one thing, but knowing what to do when you are concerned is another. Contrary to popular belief, talking about suicide does not put the thoughts in one’s head; rather, it is an important step toward early detection and intervention.

Start by asking the question; don’t beat around the bush. You can say: “I’ve noticed you’ve been struggling lately. I’m worried about you. How are you really doing?” Or “Are you thinking about suicide?”

Give the person a chance to open up and avoid putting pressure on them. Once they do open up, you don’t need to have all the answers. 

Start by listening; your first response doesn’t have to be perfect. What matters most is creating a space where they feel heard, not judged. Listen calmly and allow them to express what they are going through without interrupting, arguing, or immediately trying to solve the problem. 

Take them seriously; suicide should never be dismissed as attention-seeking, dramatic, or something the person does not really mean. Even if you are unsure how serious the situation is, it is safer to take the person’s words seriously and respond with compassion. 

Help them connect with appropriate support. Friends and family can provide important emotional support, but they do not have to manage the situation alone. Encourage the person to speak with a qualified healthcare or mental health professional who can assess what they are experiencing and recommend appropriate support.

If they may be in immediate danger, seek urgent help and do not leave them alone.

Summary

WHO emphasizes that suicide is complex and rarely has one single explanation; factors can include psychological, social, biological, cultural, and environmental circumstances. Suicide is also preventable, and early identification, support, access to care, and reducing access to lethal means are important prevention approaches.

If you’re reading this because some of these things sound familiar, this part is for you;

You don’t have to wait until things become unbearable before asking for help. Tell someone you trust. Speak to a mental health professional. Let someone know what you’re experiencing. If you’re in immediate danger, seek emergency help and don’t stay alone.

Suicide can be difficult to talk about. But silence does not protect us.

Understanding suicide allows us to recognize when someone may be struggling. Compassion allows us to respond without judgment. And conversation can help connect someone to the support they need.

We may not always know what someone is carrying. But we can choose to ask. We can choose to listen. We can choose to take their pain seriously.

Sometimes, prevention begins with one conversation.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, May 26). Preventing suicide. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/prevention/

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Teen suicide. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/teen-suicide

Rizvi, A., Harmer, B., & Saadabadi, A. (2024). Suicidal ideation. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK565877/

World Health Organization. (2026, August 28). Suicide. https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide