09/06/2026
💜🦋 SEPTEMBER SU***DE PREVENTION & AWARENESS MONTH — WORDS MATTER 🦋💜
We've talked about kindness. We've talked about emotions, motivation, facts, loss, and the suicidal mind.
Today, let's talk about something we ALL have the ability to change:
The way we talk about su***de.
Language matters.
The words we use can carry judgment and shame—or they can communicate compassion, understanding, and hope.
And sometimes, we use certain phrases simply because that's what we've always heard.
We aren't sharing this to police anyone's words or make people afraid to talk about su***de.
Quite the opposite.
We want MORE people talking about su***de. We just want to help our community learn how to talk about it safely and compassionately. 💜
🦋 LET'S SHIFT THE LANGUAGE
❌ DON'T: “Committed su***de.”
💜 TRY: “Died by su***de.”
The word committed has historically been associated with crimes or wrongdoing. Su***de is a complex public health issue—not a crime or a moral failure.
❌ DON'T: “Successful su***de” or “successful attempt.”
💜 TRY: “Died by su***de” or “fatal su***de attempt.”
Death isn't a success.
❌ DON'T: “Failed su***de attempt” or “unsuccessful attempt.”
💜 TRY: “Survived a su***de attempt” or simply “su***de attempt.”
Surviving is NOT failure.
❌ DON'T: “They did it for attention.”
💜 TRY: “Something is causing them enough distress that they need support.”
Behavior is communication. Take it seriously.
❌ DON'T: “They had everything. What did they have to be depressed about?”
💜 TRY: “We don't always know what someone is carrying.”
Pain isn't measured by someone's job, family, home, accomplishments, bank account, or what their life looks like from the outside.
❌ DON'T: “Su***de is selfish.”
💜 TRY: “They were experiencing overwhelming pain.”
Calling someone selfish adds judgment to something that is already incredibly complex—and can be deeply painful for people experiencing suicidal thoughts and for su***de loss survivors.
❌ DON'T: “Think about what this would do to your family.”
💜 TRY: “I'm really glad you told me. I'm here with you. Let's figure out what we need to do to keep you safe.”
Shame and guilt aren't su***de-prevention strategies.
Connection is.
And here's another language shift that matters:
❌ “Don't talk like that.”
❌ “You don't really mean that.”
❌ “Other people have it worse.”
❌ “You have so much to live for.”
Instead, try:
💜 “Tell me more.”
💜 “How long have you been feeling this way?”
💜 “That sounds incredibly painful.”
💜 “I'm glad you told me.”
💜 “Are you thinking about su***de?”
💜 “I'm here. We're going to find some support together.”
Sometimes changing just a few words can completely change a conversation.
And maybe that's the biggest message today:
We don't need to be afraid of the word SU***DE.
We need to become more comfortable saying it.
We need to become more comfortable asking about it.
We need to become more comfortable listening to the answer.
Because when we treat su***de like something that has to be whispered about, we unintentionally reinforce the idea that it is shameful.
Shifting the way we TALK about su***de helps shift the way we THINK about su***de.
From judgment ➡️ compassion.
From shame ➡️ understanding.
From silence ➡️ conversation.
From “What's wrong with you?” ➡️ “What's happening, and how can I help?”
From “Don't say that.” ➡️ “I'm listening.”
That's how we start changing a culture. 💜🦋
👇 YOUR TURN, CAMPBELL COUNTY!
What is one word or phrase you think we should use MORE when talking about mental health or su***de?
We'll start:
💜 HOPE.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to connect with the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.
🦋 Foster Connection. Instill Hope. Promote Healing. 🦋
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