How to raise awareness - World Suicide Prevention Day
Itโs not just about raising awareness of the problem itself โ itโs about raising awareness of what issues contribute to Australiaโs high suicide rate.
Read moreWhile attention and support for mental health and mental illness continue to grow, the stigma around suicide continues.
While attention and support for mental health and mental illness continue to grow, and positive steps are being taken in acknowledgement and support for people experiencing mild to complex issues, the stigma around suicide continues.
Key points
Stigma is when a person is viewed in a negative way or is discredited and, as a result, is treated differently.
According to suicide prevention organisation StandBy, stigma attached to suicide is often rooted in misplaced associations of weakness, blame, shame, and even sin or crime. Stigma can colour perceptions, thoughts and actions and is often reflected in our language and behaviour.[2]
There are different types of stigma, including:
The unfortunate impact of stigma around suicide is people not seeking help when they need it, while those who have lived experience of suicidal distress and suicide internalise their feelings of shame because of this perception of how their peers and society view them. If a person has experienced stigma in the past, they may be reluctant to reach out for help again.[3] And stigma around suicide can also prevent others from offering support.
Stigma around suicide can have the following effects on a person who is experiencing it:
Stigma also affects those bereaved by suicide. Research suggests that those bereaved by suicide experience negative attitudes from others and social awkwardness.[4] People bereaved may feel rejection, shame and blame. Misinformed reactions to suicide can result in avoidance and uncertainty about how to approach someone about their grief and loss. Many people bereaved by suicide find themselves avoiding the disclosure of the cause of death due to the anticipated stigmatised responses.
If you need to talk to a counsellor, call Suicide Call Back Serviceย 1300 659 467 or click on the online chat button. Our professional counsellors are available 24/7.
If it is an emergency, callย 000.
References
[1] SANE Australia National Stigma Report Card https://nationalstigmareportcard.com.au/national-stigma-report-card/faq
[2] StandBy Support, Managing social stigma after suicide https://standbysupport.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/8.-Managing-social-stigma-after-suicide-support-pack.pdf
[3] National Suicide Prevention Adviser Final Advice https://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/national-suicide-prevention-office/national-suicide-prevention-adviser-final-advice
[4] Pitman AL, Stevenson F, Osborn DPJ, King MB. The stigma associated with bereavement by suicide and other sudden deaths: A qualitative interview study. Soc Sci Med. 2018 Feb;198:121-129. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.12.035. Epub 2018 Jan 2. PMID: 29316512; PMCID: PMC5884304.
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