Florida School Toolkit for K-12 Educators to Prevent Suicide

Myth: Young people engaging in self-injury such as moderate superficial cutting or burning their body will not attempt suicide. Fact: Young people engaging in self-injury may acquire the ability for a suicide attempt as they become comfortable with—and used to—harming themselves. Myth: If a person attempts suicide once, he or she remains at constant risk for suicide throughout life. Fact: Most individuals who survived a suicide attempt do not make further attempts. Suicidal behavior is often very situational. Myth: If a person shows improvement after a suicidal crisis, the risk has passed. Fact: Most suicides occur within three months or so after the onset of improvement, when the person has the energy to act on intentions, say goodbyes, and put their affairs in order. Myth: Suicide only occurs in certain races and socioeconomic levels. Fact: Suicide crosses all racial and socioeconomic boundaries. Myth: Suicide is inherited. Fact: Suicide can run in families, but it is not an inherited trait. Having a family member who has died by suicide creates only a slightly elevated risk. Myth: All suicidal individuals are mentally ill, and only a psychotic person will commit suicide. Fact: Most but not all suicide victims were mentally ill. Myth: If a suicidal individual is stopped from using one method, they will find another way to die by suicide. Fact: Research has documented that if a specific method is removed and not available, suicidal individuals are very unlikely to seek another method. The Means Matter website from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health provides extensive research that removing the lethal means such as a gun and raising the barrier on bridges has decreased suicides. More information is available at hsph.harvard.edu/means-matter . Florida S.T.E.P.S.