The topic of suicide has also problematically surfaced in some less obvious places. The dictionary now defines suicide, the verb, as “to intentionally end one’s own life to die by suicide.” It includes an extensive, informative Sensitive Language Note about the word suicide on the word’s definition page. In line with expert recommendations and the significant, more sensitive ways the language surrounding mental health has evolved, in 2020 replaced all instances of commit suicide with die by suicide or end one’s life, changes that have improved nearly 20 entries across its site. Just as someone can die of heart disease, using the phrase to die by suicide allows us to communicate more compassionately-and accurately-about those who have passed. Now that we approach mental illness just as that, as an illness, rather than a moral failing, mental health experts and suicide prevention specialists recommend using the phrase, died by suicide. The verb commit deepens the emotional pain surrounding this sensitive but important subject-thickening the barriers to talking openly about it. Similarly, the expression committed suicide is considered problematic, as it implies the act of suicide is a crime (as it historically has been) or a sin (in religion). Associating mental health issues with unrelated negative experiences and outcomes reinforces stereotypes about mental illness, making it more difficult to talk honestly about mental health issues or to reach out for help if you’re experiencing mental illness. Similar words like insane, deranged, delusional, or neurotic are also used as jokes or insults. Talking about suicide is an important step in suicide prevention, but depending on how we talk about mental health, we may contribute to the stigma.įor example, the word crazy is often used as an adjective for anything bizarre, disruptive, or unbelievable. Why commit suicide and other problematic words are harmful LGBTQ youth can contact The Trevor Project’s TrevorLifeline 24/7 at 1-86, via chat at /Help, or by texting START to 678-678. You can also text HOME to 741741 for free, which offers 24/7 support from the Crisis Text Line. If you (or someone you know) need support, call the toll-free, 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-80. Learn more about these sweeping changes its article “ Releases Its Biggest Update Ever.”Ĭontent warning: this article deals with the sensitive topic of suicide. This update also coincides and aligns with major revisions to how defines and refers to suicide across all its entries, one part of a larger effort the dictionary implemented to better reflect and respect how language is evolving on race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality-and yes, physical and mental health. That’s why, for Suicide Prevention Awareness Week and Month in September, The Trevor Project and have updated our article that helps outline compassionate and important ways we all can discuss mental illness, especially suicide. Now more than ever, knowing how to talk about mental health and suicide will allow us to support each other through this difficult time-and learning about how we should talk about mental health and illness is a pivotal place to start. Anxiety and depression rates have been rising across the country, and vulnerable populations, such as LGBTQ youth, are at especially high risk for poor mental health outcomes. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to create a widespread sense of uncertainty and stress. But often, we struggle to find the right words to talk about our mental health honestly. Whether or not you live with a mental illness, mental health is something that all of us navigate. Nearly one in five US adults live with a mental illness, translating to about 46.6 million people as of 2017. There are many stigmas and misconceptions surrounding mental illness, but it’s quite common to experience it. By Rory Gory | updated by John Kelly, senior research editor at
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