We are born with the ability to take our own lives

Each year a million people make that choice.

Even in societies where suicide is illegal or taboo, people still kill themselves,

For many people who feel suicidal, there seems to be no other way out. 

Death describes their world at that moment and the 

Strength of their suicidal feelings should not be under-estimated  

They are real and powerful and immediate. There are no magic cures.

- be frienders(2005)

This week's abnormal psychology tutorial topic is on suicide. and after the 2 days psychology conference in Monash last weekend, i feel that suicide is the field i am very interested to research in. :) Hence in preparation for the tutorial this week, I've looked up on some notes and wanna share it on my blog.

So most of us know what suicide is and its common sense to know why people do it. 

cuz they've lost all hope in life. great. okay so what i wanna share is the misconceptions that we have.

a bit dry but here it is :)

FALSE: People who talk about suicide won't really do it. 
Almost everyone who commits or attempts suicide has given some clue or warning. Do not ignore suicide threats. Statements like "you'll be sorry when I'm dead," "I can't see any way out," — no matter how casually or jokingly said may indicate serious suicidal feelings.

FALSE: Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy. 
Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They must be upset, grief-stricken, depressed or despairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are not necessarily signs of mental illness.

FALSE: If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop them. 
Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, wavering until the very last moment between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop. The impulse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.

FALSE: People who commit suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help. 
Studies of suicide victims have shown that more than half had sought medical help in the six months prior to their deaths.

FALSE: Talking about suicide may give someone the idea. 
You don't give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true — bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do

so if you happen to spot anyone who you think might commit suicide, don't take it for granted. don't laugh at them, believe them. you might just be able to save them and give them the hope they need to  continue surviving :)