More Than Stigma; Suicide Survivors Refuse To Be Silenced

Abstract

Despite suicide prevalence in American society, the stigma surrounding it still remains. According to the CDC, it is the second leading cause of death in people aged 10-14 and 25-34. This project is focused on bringing the voices back to people with lived experiences of suicide attempts or those who have had suicidal ideation. Focus usually falls on families who have lost someone to suicide, but survivors of attempts are often not included in the conversations surrounding suicide and receive harsh reactions. Areas explored in this project are why attempt survivors say silent, the treatment within hospitalization, gendered stigma, and stigma perpetuated by the media. The areas explored intend to show how the stigma against them impacts their lives and their mental health. The goal is to educate people on suicide, how stigma causes harm, and allow people with lived experience the chance to tell their stories.