Suicide Language
The language used around suicide has evolved significantly over the past twenty years. Unfortunately, many people are still unaware of these shifts in how we discuss this sensitive topic. While words can be a source of healing, they also have the potential to cause harm. Unintentional or not, language can reinforce stigma and influence our perceptions of suicide. Such attitudes and terminology may discourage those experiencing suicidal thoughts from seeking the help they urgently need. These changes aim to reduce the stigma associated with suicide. We strongly encourage those involved in suicide prevention and supporting others to use the recommended ‘suicide-safe' language below.
Language matters in suicide prevention because the words we choose can either reduce stigma or unintentionally reinforce it. One of the most important shifts in suicide prevention is how we refer to suicide as a cause of death. For many years, phrases such as "committed suicide" and "completed suicide" were commonly used, and they continue to appear in everyday conversation. However, these terms are now discouraged. The word "committed" has historically been associated with crimes or sins, implying blame, guilt, or moral failure. While suicide was once treated as a criminal offense in many communities, that perspective is outdated and no longer reflects our understanding of suicide as a complex public health issue. Likewise, the word "completed" may suggest that suicide is a goal, accomplishment, or successful outcome, which can unintentionally reinforce harmful messages. For these reasons, mental health professionals and suicide prevention organizations recommend using language that is accurate, respectful, and free from judgment.
As suicide prevention expert Sally Spencer-Thomas, Ph.D., explains, a useful "litmus test" is to replace the word suicide with cancer in a sentence and ask whether it still makes sense. We would never say someone "committed cancer" or "successfully completed cancer." Instead, we would say that a person "died of cancer." In the same way, the preferred language is to say that a person "died by suicide." This wording recognizes suicide as a cause of death rather than a criminal act or moral failing.
The same principle applies when discussing suicide attempts. Terms such as "successful suicide attempt" or "unsuccessful suicide attempt" or "failed suicide attempt" can imply that death is the desired or successful outcome and that survival represents failure. Instead, use factual, person-centered language such as "died by suicide" when referring to a death or "made a suicide attempt" or "attempted suicide" when referring to a non-fatal event. Using clear, compassionate, and judgment-free language helps reduce stigma, encourages help-seeking, and promotes respectful conversations about suicide. By choosing our words carefully, we contribute to a culture that supports healing, understanding, and hope rather than shame or blame.
Sally Spencer-Thomas also writes that “we need workplaces, schools, faith communities, and healthcare systems to help model safe and compassionate language to help challenge the misinformation and myths that exist. We must learn to effectively disseminate our messages to large numbers of people. To do this, we need to craft safe and powerful messages, work collaboratively with traditional media outlets, and strategically use social media. We must craft messages that are positively engaging, provide people with the information we want them to remember, and give them action steps. Instead of just "raising awareness" by sharing statistics of suicide death, we can inspire hope by sharing stories of recovery and letting them know that help is available.”
There are countless stories of individuals who are alive today because someone was willing to start the conversation and connect through hope. A caring question, a compassionate response, or simply taking the time to listen can become the turning point that helps someone choose life. By using current, respectful, and person-centered suicide prevention language, we create a safe environment where people feel heard rather than judged. Our words have the power to reduce stigma, encourage honest conversations, and connect individuals to the help and support they need. Every conversation is an opportunity to remind someone that hope is real, help is available, and there are reasons to live.
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Who We Are
Suicide Prevention Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that helps people who are in need of preventative suicide assistance