SAFE LANGUAGE &
TALKING ABOUT
SUICIDE

SAFE LANGUAGE & TALKING ABOUT SUICIDE

a guide of preferred language to use when communicating about suicide

Content sourced from ROSES IN THE OCEAN GUIDE 6

Certain language may be problematic when discussing suicide.

It is important to use safe language when talking about suicide. The language you use may turn people off from seeking help as they may feel they are being judged or misunderstood. Our attitude towards suicide may come across the wrong way simply by using incorrect language.
Destigmatising language may result in a better outcome when talking with someone so the language we use matters to those who are listening to us.

Our friends at Roses in the Ocean have provided us with a guide of preferred language to use when communicating about suicide. The guide also highlights phrases and language, which may be problematic, especially in perpetuating negative stereotypes.

 

Don’t say…

Do say…

Why?

Don’t say…

‘committed’ or ‘commit suicide’

Do say…

‘died by suicide’ or ‘ended his/her/their own life’

Why?

To avoid association between suicide and ‘crime’ or ‘sin’ that may alienate some people.

Don’t say…

‘unsuccessful suicide’

Do say…

‘non-fatal’ or ‘made an attempt on his/her/their life’

Why?

To avoid presenting suicide as a desired outcome or glamourising a suicide attempt.

Don’t say…

‘successful suicide’

Do say…

‘took their own life’, ‘died by suicide’ or ‘ended their own life’

Why?

To avoid presenting suicide as a desired outcome.

Don’t say…

‘suicide epidemic’

Do say…

‘concerning rates of suicide’

Why?

To avoid presenting sensationalism and inaccuracy.

Don’t say…

‘mental patient’, ‘nutter’, ‘lunatic’, ‘psycho’, ‘schizo’, deranged’, ‘mad’

Do say…

A person is ‘living with’ or ‘has a diagnosis of’ mental illness.

Why?

Certain language sensationalises mental illness and reinforces stigma.

Don’t say…

‘victim’, ‘suffering from’ or ‘affected with’ a mental illness

Do say…

A person is ‘being treated for’ or ‘someone with a mental illness’

Why?

Terminology that suggests a lack of quality of life for people with mental illness.

Don’t say…

A person is ‘a schizophrenic’, ‘an anorexic’

Do say…

A person ‘has a diagnosis of’ or ‘is being treated for…’

Why?

Labelling a person by their mental illness.

Don’t say…

‘crazed’, ‘deranged’, ‘mad’, ‘psychotic’

Do say…

The person’s behaviour was unusual or erratic.

Why?

Descriptions of behaviour that imply existence of mental illness or are inaccurate.

Don’t say…

‘happy pills’, ‘shrinks’, ‘mental institution’

Do say…

Antidepressants, psychiatrists oy psychologists, mental health hospital.

Why?

Colloquialisms about treatment can undermine people’s willingness to seek help.

Don’t say…

‘psychotic dog’, using ‘schizophrenic’ to denote duality such as ‘schizophrenic economy’.

Do say…

Reword any sentence that uses psychiatric or media terminology incorrectly or out of context.

Why?

Terminology used out of context adds to misunderstanding and trivialises mental illness.

Whilst we understand that no one intentionally uses language, phrases and conversation to bring distress to others, we do need to be very aware of the conversations we have.

At every opportunity, it is important that we improve the suicide literacy of the community including the use of non-stigmatising and safe language when discussing suicide.

talking about suicide

Content sourced from Everymind

Suicide is an important issue of community concern and needs to be discussed.

We all have a role to play in helping to prevent suicide and its important to approach the conversation in a safe supportive way.

When someone is going through a difficult time lets consider ways to help them feel connected and heard rather than judged and alone. You don’t have to be qualified to listen, you may be having a bigger impact than you know.

Suicide Prevention is everyone’s business; preventing suicide is important across all communities.

If you are considering having a conversation about suicide, we encourage you consult these resources:

Further guidelines regarding terminology and discussion of mental health in the media can be accessed through the MindFrame website:

https://mindframe.org.au/suicide/communicating-about-suicide

For a more in-depth guide to discussing suicide visit Conversations Matter, a practical online resource to support and effective community discussions about suicide at:

www.conversationsmatter.com.au

Alternative language table extracts taken from Everymind at:

www.everymind.org.au/suicide-prevention/understanding-suicide/role-of-language-and-stigma

To ebcourage sage discussions about suicide Whyalla Suice Prevention Network Inc. is a proud signatory to the @LifeinMindAU #CommsCharter. Working together with unified messages can reduce stigma & empower people to get support. To sign, visit:

www.lifeinmind.org.au/the-charter