The White Falcon - 05.12.1986, Side 5

A one-way ticket
to a needless loss
of life
by J03 Carolyn Briscoe
Navy Editor Service
Myths and facts about suicide
To begin to understand why
people commit suicide, you must
know the facts. Otherwise, mis-
conceptions can occur. The Navy
Department issued the following
list of common myths and facts
about suicide:
Myth: People who talk about
suicide are unlikely to attempt it.
Fact: Eight out of 10 people
who committed suicide talked
about it before they did it.
Myth: The rich and the poor
are most likely to attempt
suicide.
Fact: Suicide can occur
regardless of race, sex or
economic situation.
Myth: All suicidal people are
mentally ill.
Fact: Although suffering in-
tense depression or other emo-
tional extremes, suicidal people
aren't necessarily mentally ill.
Myth: It's not a suicide if
there's no suicide note.
Fact: Only about one in four of
those who commit suicide leave
notes.
Myth: Suicide occurs without
forethought.
Fact: Most suicides are thought
out well in advance.
Myth: improvement after a
crisis indicates the suicide risk is
over.
Fact: Suicide risk generally
exists three months or longer
following a crisis.
Myth: Mentioning suicide may
give a person the idea.
Fact: In most cases, talking
about suicide can help those
thinking about it. open up 3nd
discuss their problems.
How you can help
To deal with the crisis of
suicide, list ways you can help a
suicidal person:
□ Do take every suicidal
threat, comment or act seriously
and respond to them. Talk to the
person. Mentioning suicide won't
plant the idea; suicidal people
already have the idea. But it will
relieve them to know someone
cares.
□ Don't dismiss or under-
estimate a suicidal threat, never
say "Oh, you won't kill yourself.
You're not the type." Anyone can
be "the type."
□ Don't try to shock and
challenge the person by saying
"Go ahead and do it." This is a
careless invitation to suicide.
□ Don't try to analyze suicidal
people's behavior or confront
them with interpretations of their
actions and feelings during
moments of crisis. That should be
done by a professional.
□ Don't argue with the
individual about whether he or she
should live or die. The only
possible position to take is that
the person must live.
□ Don't assume that time heals
all wounds and everything will get
better. That can happen, but it
can't be counted on.
□ Listen. You may have heard
the story before, but hear it
again. Be genuinely interested.
Be strong, stable and firm.
□ Seek professional help for a
suicidal person as soon as
possible. Military people and
their families can get help from
base chaplains, Family Service
Centers, crisis or suicide pre-
vention centers, mental health
professionals, and state or local
mental health associations.
Remember, suicide knows no
discrimination of race, color,
creed, age or sex. Anyone can
commit suicide. By knowing the
facts about suicide and being
alert for the warning signs, you
may be able to save a life.
Hats off!
Because you con-
tribute to CFC, the
Red Cross is there
to pull you
through.
American
Red Cross
December 5. 1986
5