My ‘One Word’ this week is: COMMITTED

Be honest!

Have you ever said the words
COMMITTED SUICIDE?

I’ve always been uncomfortable saying them.

During my podcast conversation with Leslie Weirich, whose son Austin died by suicide in 2016, she set the record straight regarding how to speak about suicide!

First, some history:

The term originated in 15th Century England, when taking one’s own life was considered a crime. Even the life-taker’s family were labeled criminals and would be shunned.

Suicide is the only type of death ever associated with the word committed. No one commits a heart attack or commits a stroke. People die from those things—just like they die from suicide.

Leslie explained to me that “DIED BY SUICIDE” is language that removes the shame from suicide. It also reminds people that no one ever dies by suicide because they want to die, but because they are trying to escape pain and believe it’s the only solution.

She also shared the following:

“Survivors of suicide loss are at a much higher rate of dying by suicide themselves. So if we can change the language, then in that grief, in that loss, they’re going to be more likely to reach out for the resources of hope and help and strength that they need.”

Let’s not inflict any more pain on the families affected by suicide. Using the right language for anything (pronouns, words that describe others, etc.) is sensitive and inclusive, and “death by suicide” is no different.

I’d love to hear what you learned from my conversation with Leslie, or how you’ll work to break the stigma around suicide and mental health.