The C Word

Written By Warren Davies

Why We Shouldn’t Say “Committed” When Talking About Suicide

There’s a word that still gets thrown around a lot when people talk about suicide, committed.
It might sound harmless. It’s what we’ve always said, right? I hear it in conversations daily, even heard it on the radio the other day while driving. But here’s the thing, words matter. Especially when we’re talking about something as deeply personal and painful as suicide.

Where the Word Comes From

For a long time, suicide was considered a crime, something you committed, like theft or assault. The law around suicide in Victoria (Australia) was actually abrogated in the CRIMES ACT 1958 - SECT 6A.

The word has stuck around, long after the laws changed, long after we began to understand that suicide isn’t a crime, it’s a tragedy born from pain, hopelessness, or illness.

When we say someone committed suicide, those old meanings still echo. It subtly frames the person’s death as something wrong or shameful. It reinforces stigma. It can make families feel judged and make others less likely to open up when they’re struggling.

Why It Matters

I’ve spoken with families, mates, and community members who’ve lost someone to suicide. I’ve seen the weight they carry, the guilt, the questions, the silence.
And I’ve heard from blokes who are doing it tough, but won’t say a word because they don’t want to be seen as weak or as someone who might “commit” something.

Changing the language we use is one small but powerful way to show compassion instead of judgement. To say we see your pain, and we’re not here to label it, we’re here to help you through it.

Better Ways to Say It

Instead of saying committed suicide, we can say:

  • Died by suicide

  • Took their own life

  • Lost their life to suicide

These phrases take away the blame and bring humanity back into the conversation. They acknowledge that this is about someone’s life and struggle, not about wrongdoing.

You can find a suite of Midframe's national guidelines developed to support safe and accurate media reporting, portrayal and communication about suicide, mental health concerns and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviour at https://mindframe.org.au/guidelines

Starting a Better Conversation

Language shapes how we see mental health in our communities. When we speak with empathy, we open the door for real conversations, the kind that save lives.

It might feel like a small change, but small changes build culture.
And culture is what changes everything from the shearing shed to the classroom, from the footy club to the family table.

So next time you hear someone use the C word, gently correct it. Not to judge, but to educate.
Because the more we talk about suicide with understanding instead of stigma, the more we make it okay for someone to reach out and say, “I’m not okay.”

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support:

Warren Davies
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