Why We Don't Use the Word "Commit"

By: Dr. Ursula Whiteside
Woman talking to her therapist
Photo credit © Wavebreakmedia Ltd | Dreamstime.com
By Audacy

We are moving away from using the word "commit" suicide - in order to use language that is more compassionate and accurate.

Commit makes it sound like a criminal act, rather than an act of extreme despair. People who've been suicidal say that our words really matter and that this is one simple things we can do to improve the way we approach suicide. 

You can end the stigma by removing this word from discussions about suicide.  Replace “commit” with “lost to…” suicide.