SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE (212) 673-3000

1. If someone is determined to kill him or herself, there is really nothing you or I or anyone can do about it.______

2. Ultimately, anyone who goes to the extreme of taking his/her own life is weak, mentally ill or lacking in what it takes to survive in this world.______

3. Someone who attempts suicide is just looking for attention and once he/she gets it then things will tend to calm down and be okay.______

4. I would never ever think of committing suicide because I would always find a way to deal with my problems no matter what they were.______

5. You have to avoid talking to people about their suicidal feelings because if you say the wrong thing or ask too many questions, you might be giving them the idea.______

6. Let's face it, people get involved in all kinds of things and, if it gets to the point that there's no way out, they might be better off dead.______

7. People who are always talking about how bad life is and how they wish they were dead won't really attempt suicide, they just need to complain.______

8. Once you've heard their stories and learned what was really going on in their lives, you can understand why some of these people took their own lives.______

9. There have been times in my own life when I felt overwhelmed, like there was no way out and things would never get better and suicide crossed my mind.______

10. My first priority in helping someone in crisis is to find out what's going on for that person and to try to help them find solutions for their problems.______

"People who talk about suicide won't really do it."

NOT TRUE  The majority of people who attempt suicide do or say something to express their intention before they act. Do not ignore threats or statements like, "I wish I was dead" or "You'll be sorry when I'm gone," no matter how casually they may be stated.

"Anyone who tries to kill him or herself must be crazy."

NOT TRUE  Most people have reasons for their suicidal feelings. They may be upset, grief-stricken, depressed or despairing, but are not necessarily suffering from mental illness.

"If a person is determined to kill him or herself nothing is going to stop them."

NOT TRUE  Even the most severely depressed person has ambivalent feelings about suicide. Most suicidal people do not want to die, they just want their pain to end. Most depressions, with time, will alleviate and the suicidal impulses will, ultimately, dissipate.

"Talking about suicide may give someone the idea."

NOT TRUE  You don't create self-destructive feelings in another person. Talking with someone about his or her suicidal feelings may lead to a discussion of upsetting or painful thoughts that were already there but hidden beneath the surface. Openly addressing the subject shows a willingness to help and is the first step towards intervention.