In this episode, we talk about the stigma associated with suicide.
Stigma is a mark of shame that people project onto others that is misguided and born from a lack of knowledge, prejudice, and discrimination. When talking about suicide, people often feel that there is something shameful about it, or sinful, or even selfish. Both the person who suicided and those they leave behind can be affected by this stigma. Even the language some people use, for example, “committing suicide”, implies there is an element of criminality in the death, that they have done something wrong.
There is also another layer of stigma that members of the LGBTIQA+ communities experience, and one of the consequences of this is that it can be harder for us to connect with and get support from family and professional services.
Listening to this podcast may raise issues for you and if this is the case, we would encourage you to contact one of the following services in Australia:
- Qlife: 1800 184 527
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Lifeline: 13 11 14