Suicide. A word that is often tiptoed around for fear of its contagiousness, or feelings of shame or fear...
As a carer of a Veteran who experiences daily thoughts of suicide, we use this term more often than not in our household.
The stark reality is that it has become so normalised that it can creep into our daily conversations, whether it’s a check-in, revisiting a safety plan, or organising therapy or treatment. For many thousands of Australians, this is the norm. For many others, though, the term is avoided and not ‘spoken about.’ This in itself presents another danger. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. It just means it is shrouded by fear or shame.
In 2014, I recall presenting to various schools across regional QLD for a program called ‘Living Proof’, where I supported people with lived experience of mental health challenges to talk to students about their own experiences of mental health, their journey and how they overcame some of the challenges experienced during times of unwellness. They often spoke about a point in their lives where they experienced thoughts of suicide, but the schools had prohibited the use of the term ‘suicide’, and any reference to it meant that we were not permitted to present at the school.
Again, tiptoeing around the subject rather than creating awareness and reducing stigma. Needless to say, our presenters often challenged this with the schools, as did I, but unfortunately, we were up against a system that was outdated and thought that by using the term, we would start a suicide cluster. Fast-forward to 2026, and although things have become better, people are now talking about suicide more openly; there are still people and places who simply refuse based on this mythology.
2026 is the third and final year of the triennial World Suicide Prevention Day theme (2024–2026), Changing the Narrative on Suicide, and its call to action, Start the Conversation. The theme asks all of us to challenge harmful myths, break down stigma, and make room for open, compassionate conversations about suicide, moving away from silence and misunderstanding towards openness, empathy and support, so that people feel able to speak up and ask for help.
Changing the narrative is also about systemic change. It calls for suicide prevention and mental health to sit high on the public policy agenda, and for governments and institutions to act: developing and delivering evidence-based strategies, improving access to quality care, and making sure people in distress get the support they need.
HOW you talk about it matters.
Language is powerful. The term ‘Committed Suicide’ denotes that a person is committing a crime or a sin and is very obsolete. It is important to use terms such as ‘died by suicide’ or ‘took their own life’ when speaking about suicide. The language we use to communicate about these experiences can isolate people and reinforce stigma, or it can engage and empower people to take action.
Another way to create awareness is to be aware of the signs and symptoms of someone who is thinking about suicide, and it can sometimes even be more difficult to recognise this in people with disability, chronic illness or those who are ageing. You can help someone in distress safely by knowing what to look for, how to help them manage their distress and how to support them to seek help.
At the NGO Training Centre, our course called ‘Suicide Prevention’ provides the learner with not only awareness of the prevalence of suicide in Australia, but vital information, strategies and supports for people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide.
So, start the conversation. Use the word. Ask the question. Change the narrative!
Changing the narrative on suicide doesn’t begin with a policy or a campaign; it begins with one person being willing to talk, and one person being willing to listen.
You never know: the conversation you choose to have could be the one that saves a life.
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Author: Amanda Robinson (She/Her) BA, MMHealthPrac.
Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country
Amanda, Head of Learning and Development and an experienced specialist in NDIS and Aged Care, promotes capability and sustainability within the disability and health sectors. With over 15 years of experience, a Master’s in Mental Health Leadership and Management, and an MBA underway, she offers extensive expertise and personal insight as someone with lived experience of disability. A military veteran and dedicated carer of a veteran, Amanda advocates for Human Rights, striving to reduce stigma and eliminate barriers for those with disability and mental health challenges. She is enthusiastic about fostering strong stakeholder relationships through her advocacy, communication, strategic thinking, and analytical abilities.
