Dangerous Things You Should Never Say to Someone Who Is Suicidal

When someone is in a dark place, the last thing they need is someone to make them feel worse. And sometimes, people don’t know what to say or say something that makes things worse, as mentioned at Onlinebiz Booster. In fact, on their site, you’ll learn how to comfort them properly. You may be afraid of saying the wrong thing and making things worse. However, there are some things you should never say to someone who is suicidal. These dangerous phrases can further isolate them and make them feel like they have no one to turn to. If you know someone who is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please be sure to read this post and avoid saying any of these things.

“Stay Positive, It’s Not That Bad.”

When someone is suicidal, they are not looking for a pep talk. Telling them to “stay positive” or that “it’s not that bad” invalidates their feelings and makes them feel like you don’t understand what they’re going through. It can also make them feel like you’re telling them to just snap out of it, which is obviously not helpful. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that when people are suicidal, they often see the world more realistically than others. So telling them to “stay positive” is the opposite of what they need.

“You Have Many Things to Live for.”

Did you know that comforting someone by telling them they have “many things to live for” can make them more likely to attempt suicide? That’s because when someone is suicidal, they often feel like they have nothing to live for. So telling them that they do can be overwhelming and even seem impossible. If you want to help someone who is suicidal, validate their feelings and let them know that you understand how they’re feeling.

“Many Other People Have It Even Worse.”

This is another phrase that can make someone who is suicidal feel worse. When you tell them that other people have it worse, you’re basically telling them that their feelings are not valid. And while it’s true that there are always people who have it worse off than others, that doesn’t make the person in front of you any less valid. If anything, it can make them feel even more alone, like no one understands what they’re going through.

“You’re Going to Go to Hell for That.”

Threatening someone with hell is not going to make them want to live. In fact, it’s likely to do the opposite. When you tell someone who is suicidal that they’re going to go to hell if they kill themselves, you’re basically telling them that their life is not worth living. And that’s clearly not helpful. As a matter of fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, religious beliefs are actually a significant risk factor for suicide. So if you want to help someone who is suicidal, avoid using religion as a way to scare them into living.

If you know someone who is struggling with thoughts of suicide, the best thing you can do is be there for them. Listen to them, validate their feelings, and tell them you care. And if you’re ever unsure what to say, just ask them how they’re doing and let them know you’re there for them. After all, sometimes the best thing you can do is just be there.