If this line from The Barbie Movie hit you hard, you’re not alone. It was an unexpected moment, one that took a playful film and gave it depth. For many, it was the first indication that Barbie was beginning to understand her humanity. This displayed not just the glitter and glam we’ve all come to expect from Barbie, but also the realities of life, death, and humanity. It was very poignant to note the silence and almost immediate sense of isolation felt in this scene until Barbie “read the room” and amended her statement.
As we enter September, Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, I can’t help but reflect on the significance of that simple, unsettling question. It’s a question many of us avoid, yet it’s one that has power. It’s the discomfort we feel when thinking about death that actually underscores how much we need to start talking about it. Let’s talk about why discussing death is not only important but essential for healing, especially when we experience suicidal ideation.
Why Talking About Death Matters
Death is a part of life, but it’s also one of the hardest things to talk about. As a therapist, and someone who lives with suicidal ideation myself, I know firsthand how isolating these thoughts can be. Often, we bottle them up because we fear being judged or misunderstood. The truth, though, is that everyone has thoughts about death at some point, some are fleeting, others more persistent.
Ignoring or avoiding these conversations doesn’t make them go away. In fact, it often makes them louder. By opening up, even a little, we replace silence with safety and shame with understanding. It’s not about glamorizing death, but acknowledging that our thoughts, no matter how dark, are valid signals that deserve attention.
The Reality of Suicide Statistics in the U.S.
Suicide continues to be a major public health crisis. In the U.S., data from the CDC shows that:
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- Over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2023 {which is 1 death every 11 minutes}
- 12.8 million seriously thought about suicide
- 3.7 million made a plan for suicide
- 1.5 million attempted suicide
These numbers are more than statistics; they represent real people struggling with real pain. The problem isn’t just the ideation, but the lack of access to care. Nearly half of people with suicidal thoughts never receive mental health services. For some, it’s a matter of not knowing where to turn, or feeling too ashamed to ask for help.
Why Therapy Matters
As a therapist, I don’t claim to have all the answers. Therapy isn’t a cure all, but it offers a vital space to navigate these thoughts safely. In therapy, we don’t just talk about the thoughts themselves; we explore the underlying feelings: loneliness, fear, pain, trauma. We also work on building coping mechanisms and practical strategies for dealing with trauma responses like fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. More than this, we offer a nonjudgmental space to truly feel and process experiences honestly within a safe therapeutic environment.
Therapy helps us separate what we think from who we are. It teaches us that suicidal thoughts are often more about wanting to escape pain, not about wanting to end life. September is a month of reflection and recognition, a time to raise awareness and a time to celebrate life. Death may feel like the end, but acknowledging it can help us live more fully. So, let’s stop fearing the conversation. Let’s begin to see it for what it truly is: a path to healing.
The Empowerment in Normalizing the Conversation
One of the biggest myths about suicide is that talking about it makes things worse. But the truth is that silence breeds shame whereas naming those feelings, no matter how uncomfortable, can open the door to support. The more we normalize the conversation, the easier it becomes for people to reach out when they need help.
This is why I’m passionate about dismantling this stigma around death, especially in September. Not just because it’s Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, but because it’s my birthday month, an ironic reminder for me that life and death are intricately woven together. I was born in a month dedicated to saving lives, and I’ve spent much of this life thinking about how fragile it all is. I want to use my voice to help others feel safe enough to use theirs.
Building Connections
If you’ve ever had thoughts of ending your life, or if you know someone who has, I encourage you to talk about it. You don’t have to have all the answers. Just start with a question, “Do you ever think about dying?” It could be the lifeline someone needs, the permission they’ve been waiting to be given.
Therapy isn’t about making the pain go away. It’s about creating a space where you can be heard, understood, and supported. If you don’t know where to start, just saying, “I don’t know how to say this” is an empowering first step.
Throughout the month of September, look to TheraPride’s blogs, social media posts and reach out for consultation if you need one. We will be starting the conversation all month long and beyond. Know that we are here with you, we see and hear your pain and are available to walk with you down this path. Stay tuned for more on how to safely talk through these heavy topics, and why those conversations can save lives.
Remember, you’re not alone. If you’re struggling, reach out. If you’re unsure how to help someone else, just start by being there. We are all part of this delicate, fragile existence. Let’s talk about it!
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or wanting to end their life I encourage you with all of my heart reach out (call or text) 988 for support.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 for immediate help.
CDC- Suicide Prevention Data & Statistics
National Alliance on Mental Inness (NAMI)
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