Do all suicidal people talk about killing themselves before they try to do it?
No. While it is very common for suicidal people to tell somebody what they are planning, it is possible for somebody to be
thinking about suicide without telling a soul. A person actually making a suicide threat is not always the most reliable
warning sign. In fact, in the absence of other warning signs, a suicide threat is not even considered the most credible
indicator of suicide risk. This does not mean a threat should be ignored. Any talk of suicide should be brought to the
attention of people who can intervene: parents, teachers, school counsellors, social workers, even the police. Just know
that a suicide threat is not necessarily the most accurate way to assess a person's risk for suicide.
Are all suicide threats real or is it usually just a cry for attention?
While many teens threaten suicide to get attention it is impossible to look at the face of the situation and make that
determination. When somebody makes a suicide threat it must be taken seriously. You should not put it on yourself to decide
how credible that threat is or how likely it is that the person will follow through. The truth of a suicide threat is not
your burden to bear. If you hear somebody is considering suicide, be it directly or through the rumor mill, make sure you
alert somebody who is able to better assess the situation. A parent, teacher, counsellor or other trusted adult is a good
choice.
OK, but if somebody tries to commit suicide and fails that IS just a cry for attention, right?
No, every suicide attempt should be taken seriously. There are many reasons why a real attempt at suicide may fail. Just
because somebody survives a suicide attempt doesn't mean they were not really suicidal.
Next Page > FAQ's on Teen Suicide Part 3 > Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
