Learn about suicide: myths, facts & why language matters

Helpful language and approaches

• Use clear, calm language. It’s okay to ask directly: ‘Are you thinking about suicide?’
• Listen to understand, not to fix. Give them space to talk. You don’t need to have answers. Simply being present and really listening can be more helpful than trying to solve things.
• Acknowledge how they’re feeling. Empathetic responses like ‘That sounds really hard’ or ‘I’m really glad you told me’ can help someone feel seen and taken seriously.
• Stay calm and non-judgemental. Try to manage your own reactions so the person feels safe to keep talking. Strong reactions (like panic, shock or anger) can make it harder for them to open up.
• Let them know they’re not alone. Remind them that support is available and that you care about them. Even small statements like ‘I’m here with you’ can make a difference.
• Encourage support and make it easier to access. You might say, ‘Would you be open to talking to someone together?’ Offering to sit with them while they call a helpline, book a GP appointment or reach out to someone they trust can reduce the pressure.
• Check in again later. Support isn’t just one conversation. A message or call afterwards can help them feel remembered and supported.

Try to avoid

• Using language that can feel judgemental or outdated. Phrases like ‘committed suicide’ can carry a sense of blame. Instead, you might say ‘died by suicide’ or ‘took their own life.’
• Minimising or comparing their experience. Saying things like ‘Others have it worse’ or ‘It’ll pass’ can make someone feel dismissed, even if you’re trying to help.
• Jumping straight into advice or solutions. It’s natural to want to fix things, but this can feel overwhelming. Try to listen first and ask what they need.
• Making promises you can’t keep. For example, promising to keep suicidal thoughts a secret. If someone is at risk, it’s important to involve additional support.
• Avoiding the topic altogether. It can feel uncomfortable, but not asking about suicide can leave someone feeling more alone. Gentle, direct questions are often the most helpful.

Learn more

Read tips for supporting someone you’re worried about

Helpful language and approaches

• Use simple, honest and age-appropriate language. For example: ‘Sometimes people feel so sad or overwhelmed that they don’t know how to cope.’
• Let them ask questions and answer yours at their pace. Children and young people often take in information slowly. It’s okay if the conversation happens over time. You can say, ‘That’s a really good question. What have you heard about this?’ to understand what they already know.
• Be calm, open and willing to talk. Your tone matters as much as your words. Staying calm helps them feel safe to keep asking questions and sharing what’s on their mind.
• Focus on feelings and support. Help them understand that big feelings can happen and that support is available. For example: ‘If someone feels like that, it’s really important they talk to someone who can help.’
• Reassure them they are safe and supported. Children, especially younger ones, may worry about their own safety or the safety of people they love. Simple reassurance like ‘You’re safe, and there are adults here to help’ can go a long way.
• Encourage them to talk to a trusted adult. Help them identify who they can go to if they’re worried. This might be a parent, teacher, school counsellor or another safe adult. You might say, ‘If you ever feel worried like this, you can always come and talk to me or [trusted person].’
• Check in again later. Kids and young people might not say much at first. Coming back to the conversation later shows them it’s okay to keep talking.

Try to avoid

• Giving too much detail about suicide or how it happens
  Keep explanations simple and focused on feelings and support, rather than methods or specifics.
• Dismissing, avoiding or rushing past their questions
  Changing the subject too quickly can make them feel like it’s not safe to talk about. Even if it feels uncomfortable, it’s important to stay open.
• Using confusing, vague or euphemistic language
  Phrases like ‘they went to sleep forever’ can be confusing or even frightening. Clear, gentle language is usually best.
• Overloading them with information
  It’s okay to keep things brief. Let them guide how much they want to know.
• Assuming they’re too young to notice or be affected
  Children and young people often pick up more than we realise. Giving them a safe space to talk can help them make sense of what they’re feeling.

Learn more

Read Kids Helpline’s ‘Supporting a child who’s thinking about suicide’ guide

Helpful language and approaches

• Promote a culture where mental health can be talked about safely and an environment where people feel comfortable speaking up without fear of judgement or consequences. This can be as simple as regularly acknowledging mental health as part of everyday wellbeing.
• Use consistent, respectful language across communications. Whether it’s emails, policies, staff briefings or classroom discussions, using clear and non-judgemental language helps reduce confusion and stigma.
• Focus on support, recovery and help seeking. When talking about suicide, keep the emphasis on the fact that support is available and people can get through difficult periods with the right help.
• Provide clear pathways to support. Make it easy for people to know where to go. This might include Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), school counsellors, wellbeing teams, GPs or helplines.
• Encourage leaders and educators to model safe conversations. When managers, teachers and leaders speak openly and appropriately about mental health, it sets the tone for others. This includes checking in, listening without judgement and knowing when to guide someone to further support.
• Respond thoughtfully after a critical incident. If a suicide or attempt affects your community, use safe, coordinated communication. Keep messages simple, factual and focused on support and avoid sharing unnecessary details. 
• Offer training and build confidence. Providing staff with guidance or training (e.g. how to have supportive conversations or respond to distress) can help people feel more prepared and less unsure.

Try to avoid

• Sharing detailed or sensationalised information about suicide. Avoid describing methods, locations or personal details. This can be distressing and may increase risk for vulnerable people.
• Speculating about causes or assigning blame. Suicide is complex. Simplifying it to one cause or pointing blame can be harmful and misleading.
• Using stigmatising or overly clinical language. Language that labels or distances people (e.g. ‘attention-seeking’, ‘the mentally ill’) can discourage help-seeking.
• Over-communicating or under-communicating after an incident. Too much detail can be overwhelming while silence can create confusion. Aim for clear, timely and supportive updates.
• Assuming people know where to get help. Even in well-resourced environments, people may not know how to access support. Always include clear, visible options.

Learn more

• Learn about mental health and suicide prevention training from Mindframe
• Find workplace postvention support from StandBy
• Download the Conversations Matter guide (PDF) 

Losing someone to suicide or supporting others through it can be overwhelming, confusing and deeply painful. You don’t have to go through it alone. These services offer practical and emotional support, connection with others who understand and guidance as you navigate grief in your own time.

Griefline: Free phone and online support for people experiencing grief and loss.
Visit website
Call 1300 845 745

StandBy Support After Suicide: Practical and emotional support for individuals, families and communities after suicide.
Visit website
Call 1300 727 247

Thirrili: Culturally appropriate support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities after suicide or traumatic loss.
Visit website
Call 1800 805 801

Minds Together: A peer support community for people affected by suicide, offering connection, shared understanding and resources.
Visit website

Explore more services.