People Who Die By Suicide
Are Not Weak

People Who Die By Suicide
Are Not Weak

by Kevin Caruso

People who die by suicide are not weak, they are ill.

I am very tired of hearing the word "weak" used in association with a suicide. It is an extremely ignorant statement to say that a person died by suicide because he or she was weak.

People die by suicide because they have a mental illness, most probably depression, and the illness was untreated or not properly treated.

The word "weak" needs to be expunged from any dialogue about suicide.

People who have any other illness are not called weak; yet people with mental illnesses or people who die by suicide are. Why?

Ignorance.

People are rarely stigmatized for other illnesses besides mental illnesses. Why?

Ignorance.

You can help combat this ignorance. Every time someone uses the word "weak" about someone who died by suicide, speak up. Explain that the person was not weak, but probably had untreated depression. And depression is an illness. And just like any other illness, it requires treatment.

Yes, I am tired of hearing the word "weak" when a special person dies by suicide. It makes me angry. The person who died, and the suicide survivors, deserve better.

People who die by suicide are ill, not weak.

If you are suicidal, understand that you are not a weak person. But you do need help. Please reach out for help by calling 911 or 1-800-SUICIDE or by clicking below for additional hotline numbers.

Suicide Hotlines

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If you or someone you know is suicidal, please go to the Home Page of this website for immediate help.

Thank you.

I love you.

Take care,

Kevin Caruso