Suicide awareness quiz

Facts and myths

Find the answers to these questions at facts and myths about suicide.

There is a typical profile for a person who attempts suicide

True

False

Correct - there is no typical profile

Anyone could suicide. People of all ages, races, faiths, and cultures suicide, as do individuals from all walks of life and all income levels. Popular, well connected people who seem to have everything going for them and those who appear less confident or vulnerable die by suicide. Suicidal people come from all kinds of families; rich and poor, happy and sad, two-parent and single parent, civilian and ex-service community members.

Incorrect - there is no typical profile

More men than women complete suicide

True

False

Incorrect

Suicide is about four times more common in men than women. In Australia in 2010, 1,816 males and 545 females completed suicide. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2012) Suicides Australia 2010 (Catalogue No. 33090.0)

Correct

Many suicides are completed under the influence of alcohol and drugs

True

False

Incorrect

Alcohol and drug abuse problems contribute to suicidal behaviour in several ways. Substance use and abuse can be common among persons who are prone to be impulsive, who have been involved in trauma and among persons who engage in many types of high risk behaviours that result in self-harm. Since substance abuse lowers inhibitions, it can be particularly life threatening for suicidal people. Fortunately, there are a number of effective prevention efforts that reduce risk for substance abuse and there are effective treatments for alcohol and substance use problems.

Have a look at the DVA website www.therightmix.gov.au

Correct

Alcohol and drug abuse problems contribute to suicidal behaviour in several ways. Substance use and abuse can be common among persons who are prone to be impulsive, who have been involved in trauma and among persons who engage in many types of high risk behaviors that result in self-harm. Since substance abuse lowers inhibitions, it can be particularly life threatening for suicidal people. Fortunately, there are a number of effective prevention efforts that reduce risk for substance abuse and there are effective treatments for alcohol and substance use problems.

Have a look at the DVA website www.therightmix.gov.au

All suicidal people have a mental illness

True

False

Incorrect

Not all suicidal people suffer from a mental illness. Ex-service men and women and others who appear to be happy and have no history of depression or mental illness have taken their own lives. Depression and anxiety and other forms of mental illness, if untreated, can lead to suicide, but mental illness is not the only factor that can lead to suicide. In fact, there may be many other contributing factors and some forms of mental illness may also protect.

Correct

Which of the following statements is true?

All suicidal ex-service men and women are mentally ill

Many suicides can be prevented in our community

People who are suicidal always want to die

People who talk about suicide are unlikely to go through with it

Correct

Not all suicidal ex-service men and women are mentally ill.
Suicides can be prevented through suicide awareness raising education and activities within communities.
People who are thinking of suicide are in pain and cannot find a reason to live – more than wanting to die.
All conversations about suicide should be taken seriously. You might be the only person who has listened and understood.

Incorrect

Not all suicidal ex-service men and women are mentally ill.
Suicides can be prevented through suicide awareness raising education and activities within communities.
People who are thinking of suicide are in pain and cannot find a reason to live – more than wanting to die.
All conversations about suicide should be taken seriously. You might be the only person who has listened and understood.