Suicide Stigma: Definition, Examples, and How to Reduce It

Suicide stigma is the harmful set of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors aimed at people experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and it can make reaching out for help feel unsafe or difficult.

Why does this happen? Suicide has been on the rise in the United States for decades. As with many mental health conditions, American society has unfortunately applied stigma to suicide and those coping with suicidal ideation. To overcome the U.S. mental health crisis and decrease the yearly rates of suicide, we must address these stigmas.

What is suicide stigma?

Suicide stigma refers to negative beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors directed toward individuals affected by suicidal thoughts or behaviors, which can prevent people from seeking help.

When it comes to suicidality and other mental health concerns, three types of stigmas come into play:

• Public stigma: This refers to the wider held stigmas in any given society or group. As it relates to suicide, public stigma refers to perceptions of family, friends, healthcare providers, and other individuals in someone’s life.
• Self-stigma: This is defined as the internalization of negative stereotypes. As it relates to suicidality, this can mean feeling weak, like a burden on loved ones, etc. Though these are all false, such feelings can worsen suicidal ideations.
• Systemic stigma: This is the inability of an individual to seek treatment due to lack of healthcare options, governmental policies, and other macro-level social issues.

Within the U.S., all three of the stigmas above continue to affect those experiencing suicidal ideation — making it much harder for people to get the treatment they need.

The numbers behind suicide stigma

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

• Suicide was among the top eight leading causes of death in the U.S.
• 1.5 million adults attempted suicide in the U.S. in 2023.
• 49,226 people over the age of 12 died by suicide in the United States in 2023.

Despite these numbers, people are reluctant to talk about mental health issues, suffering alone in silence while family members and friends often aren’t sure how to help. Research shows stigma is a major barrier to seeking help, increasing suicide risk.

In general, we still struggle as a society to adequately address behavioral health conditions. Mental health is still a struggle for people to discuss openly, mostly due to a lack of understanding and education. Often there is worry that talking about mental health and suicide will cause more harm than help.

Common myths that perpetuate suicide stigma

Misconceptions surrounding the causes of deaths by suicide remain pervasive. These myths about why suicide happens only serve to sustain stigmas about mental health and suicidality, which leads to more deaths by suicide.

Most stories of hope involve feeling connected, cared for, and heard by others. The more we hide from uncomfortable topics, the harder it is to help others and be a force in fighting these conditions.

To that end, let’s debunk a few of the more common myths about suicide.

Myth #1: Discussing suicide puts it in people’s minds

The opposite is true — we do an amazing service when we bring up suicide and talk openly and honestly about mental health.

By discussing suicide with individuals who display signs of suicidal ideation, we can help people open up about the pain they’re in and help them seek lifesaving solutions.

Myth #2: Suicide is unpredictable

This is false.

In fact, people experiencing suicidal ideation display certain signs. These include:

• Talking about wanting to die or feeling that their loved ones would be better off without them
• Selling or giving away their possessions
• Increased substance use
• Withdrawing from community

Though this is not an exhaustive list, understanding these (and other) warning signs can help dispel the myth that death by suicide happens quickly and unpredictably.

Myth #3: Suicide is selfish

It’s important to remember that those who die by suicide do not do so out of a desire to stop living or get away from the people in their life. Those who die by suicide die because they are in immense pain.

Death by suicide is the result of mental illness. Just like we cannot blame someone for dying of cancer, we cannot blame someone for dying by suicide.

Psychological effects of suicide stigma

Suicide stigma can directly increase suicide risk by preventing people from seeking help and reinforcing feelings of shame and isolation.

Why? The pervasiveness of mental health stigma and suicide stigma make it difficult for individuals to seek help. When individuals experiencing suicidal ideation cannot discuss the pain they are in, they begin to self-stigmatize and are at much greater risk of dying.

Mental health experts have shown that stigmas around mental health increase the risk of suicide. The reasons why include:

• A decrease in self-esteem
• Avoidance of treatment for fear of further stigmatization
• Internalization of negative beliefs about self
• Feelings of hopelessness and shame
• Withdrawing from friends and family, resulting in social isolation

These behaviors, brought on by stigma, have proven dangerous. In one study, researchers found that self-stigma also correlated with lower rates of recovery from mental illness.

How to address suicide stigma and save lives

How organizations can help

What can behavioral health organizations do to help decrease stigma surrounding suicidal ideation? One of the best ways is through education.

• Run awareness campaigns: Seek out partnerships in your community and offer free education on suicide and other mental health issues. A great example is working with school systems to educate youth on mental health topics. Studies have found that adolescents are more likely than other groups to change their beliefs and overcome stigmas when presented with educational materials.
• Advocate for policy change: To help address systemic stigma, your organization can lobby its representatives at the state and federal levels to increase funding for mental health awareness campaigns and treatment programs. By acting as an authority, you can demonstrate the importance of stigma busting solutions to the general health and well-being of our society.
• Improve staff training: By providing world-class training to your staff on issues like trauma-sensitive language, trauma-informed care, and suicide prevention, you’ll be creating an organization that can truly reduce suicide rates and improve mental health in your community.

How individuals can help

If a person in your life is expressing suicidal ideation, it’s important to understand that many people experience thoughts of being better off dead or feeling overwhelmed at some point in their lives. To help, try the following techniques:

• Talk openly about suicidal thoughts: Let them know they’re not alone and that having these thoughts doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with them. Gently remind them that these feelings can pass and that support is available.
• Reassure them they’re not alone in decisions: If they’re worried about what might happen if they open up, reassure them that you’re there to support—not control—the situation. Be honest that your priority is their safety, while emphasizing that you’ll work through next steps together whenever possible.
• Encourage connection with others: Talk about people they trust and feel comfortable reaching out to, such as friends, family members, or mentors. Encouraging connection can help reduce isolation and make it easier for them to seek help when they need it.
• Help them plan for difficult moments: Work together to come up with a simple plan for times when their thoughts feel more intense. This might include identifying who they can call, safe places they can go, or activities that help them cope or feel grounded.
• Have conversations, not interrogations: Focus on listening rather than asking a rapid series of questions. Open-ended, compassionate conversations can help the person feel heard and understood, making them more likely to share what they’re going through.

Remember that talking about suicide does not cause someone to act on those thoughts. In fact, avoiding the conversation can increase stigma and isolation. Open, supportive dialogue can help people feel valued and more willing to seek the help and support they need.

Frequently Asked Questions about suicide stigma

What is suicide stigma?

Suicide stigma refers to negative beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors toward people who experience suicidal thoughts or have been affected by suicide. This stigma can lead to shame, judgment, and discrimination, making it harder for individuals to seek help or talk openly about their experiences.

Why is suicide stigma harmful?

Suicide stigma can prevent people from seeking support, increase feelings of isolation, and contribute to worsening mental health. When individuals feel judged or misunderstood, they are less likely to reach out for help, which can increase the risk of suicide.

What causes suicide stigma?

Suicide stigma is often caused by misinformation, cultural beliefs, fear, and lack of education about mental health. Media portrayals, societal attitudes, and discomfort discussing suicide can all reinforce harmful stereotypes and misunderstandings.

How can individuals help reduce suicide stigma?

Individuals can reduce suicide stigma by talking openly about mental health, using nonjudgmental language, listening with empathy, and encouraging others to seek help. Educating yourself and challenging harmful myths also plays an important role.

Does talking about suicide make it worse?

No, talking about suicide does not increase the risk. In fact, open and supportive conversations can help people feel less alone and more willing to seek help. Avoiding the topic can increase stigma and prevent people from getting the support they need.