Talking about suicide doesn't encourage it, it prevents it: on World Suicide Prevention Day, experts remind us that empathetic language can save lives.

Every September 10th, the world pauses to reflect on a painful reality: suicide claims more than 720,000 lives each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In Colombia, in the first half of 2025 alone, 1,352 people died from this cause, according to the Forensic Medicine Department. This figure demonstrates that this is an urgent public health challenge, but also an issue that requires breaking silences and stigmas to make way for empathy and prevention.

World Suicide Prevention Day, established in 2003 by the WHO and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), seeks to create safe spaces to discuss what is often silenced. As Máncel Martínez, head of the Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology at the Juan N. Corpas University Foundation, points out, this global effort "helps mobilize resources, improve care services, propose research, and implement prevention strategies."

Suicide is a complex topic that requires careful and responsible attention. Instead of silencing the conversation, it's important to communicate clearly, empathetically, and without stigma, as a misused word can invalidate a person's suffering and increase feelings of loneliness.

This is the opinion of Diego Leal, a professor in the Psychology Program at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Universidad del Rosario, who shares essential recommendations for discussing suicide responsibly. For him, reflecting on one's personal stance on this topic is essential: "Simplistic, pejorative, or stigma-laden messages can cause more harm. Avoiding euphemisms, confusing metaphors, or sensationalist narratives is essential to avoid trivializing or romanticizing the pain," he emphasizes.

Leal emphasizes that suicidal behavior is often marked by ambivalence: "At times, there may be a desire to die, and at others, a desire to distance oneself from that idea. Offering clear messages, and above all, messages that validate emotional distress, can open the door to receiving help instead of facing the weight of stigma."

In his words, suicidal behavior does not define people: “When we develop skills to recognize and accept emotions and cope with crises, it opens the door to understanding that suicide is not who we are, but a behavior we can change.”

The way suicide is discussed on social media and in digital content can save lives or, conversely, increase the risk. This is explained by the concepts of the Werther Effect and the Papageno Effect. The former describes how posts that glorify, romanticize, or detail suicide methods can increase suicidal behavior. The latter, in contrast, demonstrates that when experiences of overcoming difficulties, seeking help, and recovery are shared, a path of hope opens up.

Today, not only journalists, but also content creators and anyone who posts on social media, have a great responsibility. A story shared on TikTok, Instagram, or X can reach thousands of people and make the difference between reinforcing a stigma or opening a door to help. "We must always prioritize the message that help is available and that life can improve," Martínez emphasized.

Listening without judgment is one of the most powerful ways to deal with suicidal thoughts. Most people experiencing these thoughts need safe spaces to express themselves. Validating emotions, paraphrasing, and confirming what they express are active listening strategies that build trust.

“When a person feels heard, their hope can be strengthened. Asking questions can be difficult, but our main role is to listen without judgment,” Leal said.

The expert also emphasizes strengthening non-suicidal alternatives, activating support networks, and offering local resources such as hotlines. "Not everyone who thinks about dying actually does so, but they almost always go through a period of emotional distress. That, in itself, is enough to encourage us to reach out and offer spaces of care," he added.

According to the WHO, suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29. In Colombia, UNICEF has reported that almost half of children and adolescents suffer from mental health issues, often resulting from violence, bullying, or abuse. Added to this are the risks associated with excessive use of social media and exposure to cyberbullying.

At the other extreme, older adults represent another critical group. Studies show that up to 41% of them report depressive symptoms, and older men have the highest suicide rates in Colombia. The stigma surrounding old age and emotional suffering exacerbate their vulnerability.

For Martín Javier Martínez, CEO of the Aspen Andean Cluster, the recent passage of Mental Health Law 2460 of 2025 represents "a great opportunity to close gaps in care, prioritizing children, adolescents, and young people." However, he insists that this effort requires collaborative work between the government, the private sector, and academia.

Dr. Alexie Vallejo, president of the Colombian Psychiatric Association (ACP), insists that the challenge is to break the myths: "Prevention doesn't require grand gestures, but rather simple, humane actions: asking, listening, and supporting."

The ACP, in fact, launched the #PrevenirEsPreguntar campaign, which seeks to remind everyone that a single question, asked with empathy, can make a difference.

Suicide prevention is a daily commitment. It's about recognizing that mental health is just as important as physical health and that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, but of courage.

“Taking care of our minds is just as important as taking care of our bodies or our relationships; that's why everyone, from their role in society, can contribute to making asking for help a natural and positive thing,” Santacruz concluded.

The message of this September 10th is clear: talking about suicide doesn't mean encouraging it, but rather opening paths to understanding, support, and prevention. Silence can be lethal, but empathy can save a life.

Environment and Health Journalist