Academics, journalists and others are still using the word ‘commit’ in connection with suicide; yet suicide is not a sin and is no longer a crime

Beaton, S.J.

Forster, Peter

Maple, M.

Name not available

The Language of Suicide

Academics, journalists and others are still using the word 'commit' in connection with suicide; yet suicide is not a sin and is no longer a crime. We even see it used by other suicidologists in specialist journals. This use of language is important because of the three powerful, historical and potentially stigmatising uses to which the word 'commit' has been put: • The word 'commit' is commonly used in connection with religious offences. Indeed suicide is considered wrong in many religions. Over time suicide has been regarded as a cardinal sin in some religions and is often considered a moral sin today. • In the past, suicide was a criminal act in many countries. For example, there was a legal prohibition against 'committing' suicide in England and Wales until the Suicide Act 1961 was introduced. • In many countries, care for those with mental illness can be sought involuntarily ('committed'). This is often the only occurrence outside of committing a crime and being held that an individual can be detained without their consent

Beaton, Susan

Maple, Myfanwy

Research UNE

The language of suicide

University of Worcester Research and Publications

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 731lettersThe language of suicideAcademics, journalists and others are stillusing the word ‘commit’ in connectionwith suicide; yet suicide is not a sin and isno longer a crime. We even see it used byother suicidologists in specialist journals.This use of language is importantbecause of the three powerful, historicaland potentially stigmatising uses to whichthe word ‘commit’ has been put:I The word ‘commit’ is commonlyused in connection with religiousoffences. Indeed suicide isconsidered wrong in manyreligions. Over time suicide hasbeen regarded as a cardinal sin in some religions and is oftenconsidered a moral sin today.I In the past, suicide was a criminalact in many countries. Forexample, there was a legalprohibition against ‘committing’suicide in England and Wales untilthe Suicide Act 1961 wasintroduced. I In many countries, care for thosewith mental illness can be soughtinvoluntarily (‘committed’). This isoften the only occurrence outside ofcommitting a crime and being heldthat an individual can be detainedwithout their consent.Using the word ‘commit’ within thecontext of suicide is not only unnecessary,it is also harmful. Suicide is a considerablepublic health issue with ripple effectsthroughout the community. Those affectedby suicide (whether personally or due tothe death of a person to whom they areconnected) are vulnerable and oftenstigmatised. We need to talk more aboutsuicide, and provide safe places for this to occur in a manner that is helpful andhealthy. However, such talk is often stuckin concepts and language from the pastthat perpetuate stigma, constrain thinkingand reduce help-seeking behaviour. Thosebereaved by suicide and those who havebeen suicidal themselves have commentedon the negative and unhelpful effects ofstigmatising language (Alberta MentalHealth Board, n.d.; Maple et al., 2010;Sommer-Rotenberg, 1998).For example, this comment wasposted in 2011 in response to a usefulCanadian resource on ‘Suicide andLanguage’ (tinyurl.com/cb5t3hc):I have always believed language isvery powerful, no matter the subject.As a person who has had a number of suicide attempts, I believe thecontinuing stigma surrounding suicidewill make it very difficult to changethe language. Consider successfulsuicide and failed suicide attempts,terms used regularly in ER’s andMental Health Units. The successfulsuicide means you’re dead. Wouldanyone consider referring to any otherway in which a person died as‘successful’? My ‘failed attempts’ have,when receiving medical attention,made me feel like just that, a failure. I could not even do that right, and thedistaste of ER staff is often completelyobvious. Once when I drove my car offthe road, in ER the nurse asked me if I had taken my seat belt off, when I replied no, she rolled her eyes andshook her head. My ‘failed suicide’attempt made me a person not to betaken seriously. The unspokenmessage seemed to be come backwhen you get it right. Yes, language isvery powerful, and I believe those whowould try to address the stigma ofsuicide through language changeshave a very difficult job ahead. By limiting the use of negativelyassociated language, and instead usinglanguage that accurately and sensitivelydescribes experience, such as, ‘died bysuicide’, or ‘ended his/her life’, wepromote a healthier way in which to openconversation about risk and resilience, aswell as assisting those bereaved by suicide.‘Suicide’ is both a noun and a verb so it isalso acceptable to say, ‘she suicided lastyear’, for example.Language takes time to change and weshould be at the forefront of championingthis change. This shows both respect incaring for people affected by suicide, aswell as being accurate in relation to theirexperience.As workers in the field of suicideprevention we feel that this is an area in which stigma has potentially tragicconsequences. Therefore, the extra effortinvolved in becoming familiar withlanguage that is both precise and non-stigmatising is essential. Whilst there areother terms used in the field ofsuicidology that warrant addressing toimprove clarity and consistency ofmeaning (e.g. suicide attempt, non-suicidal self-harm, suicide survivorand others), ‘commit’ stands outbecause of its potential for inducingstigma and so deserves to berevisited until it is no longer used.Suicide is a cause of death. Do we ever say that someone‘committed cancer’ or ‘committedheart failure’, even when they mayhave lived lifestyles thatcontributed to such diseases (forexample, smoking or high-fat diet)?Even suggesting this soundsludicrous, and yet every day we seesuch examples in relation to suicide. Our goal must be to reduce the taboosurrounding suicide and to help with thatwe must update our language. We muststop using words or phrases such as,‘committed suicide’, ‘completed suicide’,‘successful suicide’ or ‘failed attempt’ andbe thoughtful in the ways in which weengage with those who experiencesuicidal ideation, attempts or are bereavedthrough suicide.So, let us commit to being vigilant andchallenge the use of stigmatising languagewhenever we hear it used in connectionwith suicide.Susan J. BeatonSuicide Prevention ConsultantPeter M. ForsterUniversity of WorcesterMyfanwy MapleUniversity of New England, AustraliaReferencesAlberta Mental Health Board (n.d.). What’s in a word?The language of suicide. Retrieved 11 September2012 from www.albertahealthservices.ca/MentalHealthWellness/hi-mhw-sps-language-of-suicide-1p.pdfMaple, M., Edwards, H., Plummer, D. & Minichiello, V.(2010). Silenced voices: Hearing the stories ofparents bereaved through the suicide death of ayoung adult child. Health & Social Care in theCommunity, 18(3), 241–248.Sommer-Rotenberg, D. (1998). Suicide and language.Canadian Medical Association Journal, 159(3),239–240.

The Language of Suicide

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