Breaking Barriers: Normalizing the Conversation About Suicide Saves Lives.
There are some topics we avoid because they feel too heavy, too uncomfortable, or just plain scary to bring up. Suicide is one of those topics. But here’s the truth. The more we talk about it, the more lives we save. Silence doesn’t protect anyone, connection does.
If you’ve ever struggled with suicidal thoughts, you are not broken, strange, or alone. Many people, especially teens and young adults, go through periods where life feels unbearable. Recognizing that reality doesn’t make it less serious, it makes it more human. And when we name it, we make room for hope, healing, and support.
Suicidal Thoughts Are More Common Than You Think
When you’re in the middle of those thoughts, it can feel like you’re the only person in the world carrying them. But the truth is, many people experience suicidal ideation at some point in their lives. You’re not strange for having those feelings, and you’re definitely not alone.
In fact, research shows just how common these experiences are. According to the CDC, in 2022 about 19% of high school students seriously considered suicide, and around 16% made a plan. Among young adults aged 18–24, approximately 14% reported experiencing serious thoughts of suicide in the past year.
These numbers can feel heavy, but they also remind us of something important. Suicidal thoughts are not rare, and they are not something to hide in shame. Talking about them openly helps us create the kind of support and safety that saves lives.
Why We Avoid Talking About It (& Why We Shouldn’t)
For many people, suicide feels like “the unspeakable.” Parents, teachers, friends, and even peers may hesitate to bring it up out of fear. Thoughts like “What if I say the wrong thing?” or “Will I make it worse by mentioning it?” are extremely common.
It makes sense that talking about suicide feels intimidating, but avoiding it doesn’t make it go away. In fact, silence can deepen isolation and shame. By opening the door to honest conversation, you give someone the chance to feel seen and supported instead of hidden away.
This also means using compassionate language. Instead of saying someone “committed suicide,” mental health professionals now use terms like “died by suicide” or “completed suicide.” The word committed carries associations with crime or sin, which can add unnecessary judgment. Shifting to neutral, compassionate wording acknowledges suicide as a public health issue and a reflection of deep suffering, not a moral failing.
My Approach as a Therapist (& Why Punishment Backfires)
Parents and caregivers often respond to self-harm or suicidal thoughts with consequences like grounding, taking away phones, or pulling kids out of activities. This instinct usually comes from love and fear. As a parent you want to protect your child, and sometimes you don’t know what else to do. It makes sense that punishment feels like the “go-to” step. It's a familiar way to try to regain control in a scary situation.
But here’s the problem. Those responses can unintentionally make things worse. When someone is already feeling isolated, losing their coping outlets and connections almost always intensifies depressive symptoms. Instead of feeling safer, the person feels more trapped, more ashamed, and less likely to open up next time.
That’s why in my practice, I never encourage punishment for self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Instead, the focus is on:
Creating safety. People are more likely to share honestly if they know they won’t be shamed or punished.
Validating feelings. This doesn’t mean agreeing with harmful behaviors, but it does mean saying, “I hear how much you’re hurting.”
Collaborating on coping strategies. We work together to find alternatives that feel realistic and supportive.
Supporting caregivers. Parents deserve guidance, too. Therapy gives families space to process their fear, anger, or confusion while learning more effective ways to respond.
Approaching suicidal thoughts with strategy, patience, and trauma-informed care helps the person struggling feel supported, not punished. And that’s the foundation for real healing.
Finding Support and Building Connection
Whether you’re the one experiencing suicidal thoughts or you’re worried about someone you love, the most important thing to remember is this. You don’t have to face it alone.
If you are struggling:
Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Use the chat option at 988lifeline.org.
Text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line.
Reach out to a trusted person in your life. That could be a friend, parent, sibling, teacher, coach, or mentor.
If you’re supporting someone else:
Listen first, without rushing to fix.
Validate their pain, even if you don’t fully understand it.
Stay calm, even if you’re scared. Your steadiness can help them feel safer.
Encourage professional help and know that therapy can support both of you.
Suicidal thoughts can feel isolating, but connection changes everything. Every time we choose to talk about suicide openly, we chip away at the silence and shame that keeps people suffering in secret.
By breaking the silence, we create a culture where it’s possible to say, “I’m struggling,” and to hear in return, “You’re not alone. I’m here. Help is here.”
You are not alone. You are human. Conversations about suicide aren’t just important, they are lifesaving.
