Certain ways of talking about suicide can alienate members of the community, sensationalize the issue or inadvertently contribute to suicide being presented as glamorous or an option for dealing with problems.
Preferred language
People who are vulnerable to suicide, or bereaved by suicide, can be particularly impacted by language. Below is a summary of preferred language to use when communicating about suicide.
We need to ensure we are not “too afraid” to talk about suicide as a community, while respecting and understanding the risks in certain situations.
Talking about suicide
Suicide is an important issue of community concern and needs to be discussed. However, there is often confusion about what is meant by “discussing” or “talking about” suicide, and confusion about the evidence.
