More Than a Moment: Understanding Trauma, Suicide, and the Power of Connection
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and today, September 10, marks World Suicide Prevention Day. There are many risk factors for suicide but studies show experiences of violence and trauma are associated with increased suicide risk.
Suicide prevention begins long before someone is ever in crisis. Prevention is an ongoing practice, beginning when we help a person feel safe, heard, believed, and connected.
Trauma Isn’t a Single Moment
For those who have experienced crime or violence, trauma is rarely limited to the moment an incident occurs. The event may happen in a moment, but its impact can continue long afterward.
Fear, shame, isolation, loss of safety, changes in relationships, financial or legal challenges, and the emotional effects of trauma can all make it difficult for someone to see a way forward. For some survivors, these experiences can contribute to feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of suicide.
During an acute suicidal crisis, a person can become overwhelmed by the emotional or psychological pain they are experiencing. That pain can create a kind of tunnel vision, making it difficult to see beyond the immediate crisis or recognize other options and possibilities. In these moments, the goal is not to solve everything at once. Sometimes, it's simply to help someone get through the moment, create connection, and make space for the possibility that things can be different.
The crisis is a moment. It does not have to become the whole story.
That's why supporting survivors means more than responding to what happened. We can support survivors through helping them to rebuild a sense of safety, connection, control, and hope.
The Language We Use Matters
At Crime Victims Council (CVC), we know that language matters. We see every day how the words used to describe someone's experience can influence whether they feel believed, supported, respected, heard, and safe.
Suicide prevention is no different.
The words we use can either reinforce stigma or help create an environment where people feel safe enough to talk about difficult experiences.
You may have heard the phrase “committed suicide.” While this language has been used for generations, the word committed can carry unintended associations with wrongdoing, guilt, or criminal behavior. Instead, there has been a shift toward language such as “died by suicide.” The International Association for Suicide Prevention recommends using “died by suicide” rather than “committed suicide” as part of suicide-prevention communication.
This may seem like a small change, but language shapes how we understand and respond to suicide. Saying “died by suicide” acknowledges what happened without placing blame or reinforcing shame. There are other ways in which we can modify our language. Language guidelines can be found below:
The same principle applies when we work with survivors of crime. We strive to use person-first, compassionate language that recognizes the person beyond what happened to them. A person is not defined by the crime they experienced, just as someone is not defined by their experience with suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis.
When we choose our words carefully, we create more space for honest conversations. And those conversations can be crucial in helping someone feel less alone and more willing to reach out for support.
At CVC, we believe that the moment of trauma is not the whole story. There is what happened, there is the impact that follows, and there is also the possibility of healing, connection, and hope.
Asking about suicide or bringing the topic up with a loved one does not “put the idea in their head.” Instead, it creates an opportunity for an honest conversation and opens a door for someone who may be struggling to feel less alone.
It’s important to recognize changes in someone you care about, have open conversations, learn the warning signs, and know where to turn for help.
If You or Someone You Know Needs Support
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or is struggling with a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It's free, confidential, and available 24/7.
If you or someone you know has experienced a crime and needs support, the Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley provides free, confidential advocacy, crisis intervention, and counseling for survivors of crime and their loved ones.
Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley 24-Hour Hotline: 610-437-6611 Free, confidential, 24/7 support for survivors of crime and their loved ones.
And if someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
As always, our message at CVC is clear, no matter what the experience may be:
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