Understanding Stigma: Practical Steps for Suicide Prevention

Stigma around suicide takes many forms. Whether it comes from within, from others, or from systems and structures, stigma can keep people from reaching out or from being truly heard when they do.

Here are four simple ways to help reduce stigma in conversations:

1. Listen with openness: give people space to share their story in their own words and time. Listening itself is an intervention and a powerful way to build connection.
2. Use language thoughtfully: choose words that encourage understanding and respect, such as saying “substance use” instead of “drug abuse.”
3. Share resources: normalise help-seeking by pointing people to support and information when it’s needed.
4. Gently ask questions: thoughtful questions can help someone unpack how stigma may be affecting them. For example: “What has happened when you have tried to share this?”

It’s important to understand how stigma can affect people. It can show up in different ways:

• Self-stigma: feelings of shame or guilt that make it harder to seek help.
• Public stigma: negative attitudes from others or society.
• Structural stigma: unfair practices within systems, often unintentional.
• Anticipatory discrimination: fear of being judged or sidelined if struggles are disclosed.

By recognising these barriers and responding with openness and care, each of us can help create safer spaces for honest, respectful conversations about suicide and mental health.