From a Therapist’s Chair Let’s Talk About Suicide
Over the years as a therapist, I’ve sat across from people carrying pain so heavy they wondered if life was worth continuing. I’ve also sat with those same people months or years later, watching them laugh again, love again, and live in ways they couldn’t imagine when we first met.
Suicide is one of the hardest conversations to have, but avoiding it only deepens the silence and stigma that can keep people suffering alone. It’s time we talked about it openly, truthfully, and compassionately.
Myth #1: Talking About Suicide Puts the Idea in Someone’s Head
Truth: You can’t plant suicidal thoughts by asking about them. In fact, asking directly can open a door for honesty and relief. People often feel more supported (and less alone) when someone gives them permission to speak their truth without judgment.
Myth #2: People Who Talk About Suicide Are Just Seeking Attention
Truth: If someone is talking about ending their life, believe them. That “attention” they’re seeking is often connection, validation, and help. Taking it seriously can save a life.
Myth #3: Faith Should Be Enough to Protect Someone
Truth: Faith can be a powerful source of hope, but it doesn’t make anyone immune to depression, trauma, or suicidal thoughts. Mental illness affects people in the church as much as those outside it. Struggling with suicidal thoughts is not a sign of weak faith but it’s a sign someone is hurting and needs care.
Myth #4: Suicide Happens Without Warning
Truth: While some suicides are impulsive, most people show signs, though they’re often subtle. Changes in mood, withdrawal from loved ones, loss of interest in things they once enjoyed, or sudden calm after distress can all be signals something is wrong.
What I’ve Seen From the Therapist’s Chair
I’ve had clients come to me convinced they wouldn’t make it to next week. I’ve also watched those same clients:
- Rebuild their relationships
- Find purpose in helping others
- Experience joy they thought was gone forever
Recovery is possible. The presence of suicidal thoughts does not mean the absence of hope. It means hope feels far away, and we may need to help someone find their way back to it.
What You Can Do
- Ask directly if you’re concerned: “Are you thinking about ending your life?”
- Listen without trying to immediately fix it
- Help connect them to professional support
- Follow up, even after the crisis seems to have passed
Gentle Truth
Suicide is complex, but one thing is certain: the more we talk about it with compassion and honesty, the more lives we can help save. You may never know how much your presence means to someone standing on the edge.
If You Are Struggling:
In the U.S., call or text 988 or use Find a Helpline to locate help anywhere in the world. You are not alone, and your story is not over.
Scripture to Carry: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
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