“Committed suicide” is wrong terminology; “died by suicide” is correct.
Reporters often cover suicides as if they are a crime, but they are not.
Following guidelines established by experts reduces the likelihood of suicide contagion.
It’s common for people to say that someone “committed suicide.” This implies that killing yourself is illegal when it’s not. That’s why we need to take judgment out of it. We need to stop thinking of suicide as wrong and accept it for what it is: an individual’s decision to end his or her life prematurely. We don’t say that someone “committed cancer,” even when his or her actions—such as years of cigarette smoking—may have a direct effect. Instead, we say the person “died by cancer,” and this is the correct way to refer to suicide—the person “died by suicide.” Alternatively, it’s appropriate to say that someone killed himself or herself. No judgment; just fact.
“It comes back to how we can speak of our dead with love and compassion,” says the mother of a 21-year-old boy who took his life. “Saying that your loved one committed suicide seems like the ultimate act of betrayal—blaming them for their own illness and suffering. Bring them back to the light, your conversation, your family history, your mantel or photo album, with loving compassion by proclaiming that they died by suicide… They were ill, they ended their pain, and we mourn them.”1
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
It’s also not appropriate to say that a person who attempts suicide either “succeeds”—i.e. dies—or “fails”—lives. Again, we need to avoid judging. Moreover, suicide shouldn’t be thought of as a goal, like passing or failing a test. An individual survives a suicide attempt or not. If not, it’s referred to as “a completed suicide.”
Some of this is the fault of the media. Too often, reporters cover a suicide the same way they cover a crime, but suicide isn’t a crime. It’s a public health issue and should be covered that way, with background information on trends, rates, treatment options, and resources. Equally important, a person’s suicide can be balanced with stories of hope and recovery in which suicidal thinking is overcome and skills to cope with adversity are increased. This way, individuals and the media don’t unintentionally promote self-destructive behavior by contributing to suicide contagion but rather encourage people who are contemplating suicide to seek help.
At one time the Annenberg Public Policy Center analyzed the coverage of suicides in nine major newspapers over a period of 12 months, plus three years’ worth of articles in the New York Times. Seven of the nine newspapers made a point of using the word suicide in at least half their headlines, sometimes in a sensational fashion. In many of the Times’ articles, the method of suicide was mentioned in the headline, yet only 8 percent of the articles cited depression as a possible factor in the person’s death. Some of the journalists who were contacted by the center didn’t know that certain types of news coverage can lead to imitative behavior, and none were aware that experts in the field had developed media guidelines for reporting on suicide.2 That is changing—slowly—although it’s still common for media reports to use the phrase “committed suicide.” Since the general public often takes its cue from the media, this stigmatizing terminology needs to end.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at [email protected] and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
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