Words matter. The words we choose can mean the difference between someone feeling heard and respected, or feeling judged and demeaned. The more serious the topic, the more we should be careful in how we choose our words.
No topic is more serious than suicide. And yet stigma remains around the issue of suicide and mental health in general. One of the prime examples of this stigma is the common use of the phrase “committed suicide.” Another example is “suicided.”
The word “commit” or “committed” creates the impression that suicide is a crime or is somehow similar to a criminal offense. According to Cornell Law School, “Suicide is no longer considered a crime in the United States; however, some states have attempted suicide listed as a crime in their criminal statutes.”
Remove the word ‘committed’
A more neutral way to refer to suicide is to say that a person “died by suicide.” This takes the connotation of blame and shame that comes with the word “committed” out of the equation. Alternatively, “suicide death,” is less dehumanizing than “suicided.”
“People who are suicidal or died by suicide deserve to be treated with respect. These are people experiencing profound mental pain. They are people with mental illness,” said Dr. Justin Schoen, Marshfield Clinic Health System psychiatrist. “Using the phrase ‘committed suicide’ only adds to unhealthy stigma and discussion around mental health, which is already plagued by so many misconceptions.”
It’s about respect
Referring to suicide in a more neutral fashion is important to honor the memory of those we have lost to suicide, to respect those who have attempted suicide and survived, and all the family and friends of someone who died by suicide.
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, help is available. The direct number for the National Suicide Prevention Line is 1- 800-273-8255. We are also here to help at Marshfield Clinic Health System.
I have had been told about suicide and how to care from support thinking and well being of a friendship. It to is the hardest time for me when I am going through a life change and that it was my good deeds to go forward with myself and family. At the terrible words go kill yourself really hurt me.
Thank you for this article destigmatizing suicide.
It should be pointed out that not all people who die by suicide have mental illness. The decision to end ones life in cases of intractable pain, terminal cancer, loss of control of bodily functions and so forth are often made rationally by people who wish to die with dignity. Several states allow this as well as the more enlightened countries of Europe and in Canada.
Unfortunately Wisconsin is not one of them.
Thank you so much for this article. We recently had a tragic suicide in our family and I find this article to be very helpful. I try to say "He took his own life," but unfortunately, "committed suicide" is so ingrained in me, that I often slip. I think "died by suicide" is a more appropriate expression and I am going to make an effort to use that terminiology in the future.
Hi Nancy, Thank you for those kind words. I am sorry for your loss. -Jordan