Beware of suicidal threats as attention-seeking behavior on social media
By Sugar Vermonte | Toledo resident
There is a disturbing trend on Facebook and other social media platforms that has surfaced in the wake of Donald Trump’s recent reelection.
Over the past days, I’ve seen far too many posts from people who, upset by the election results, are subtly—or not so subtly—threatening suicide. This behavior, while shocking, raises serious questions about both the appropriateness and the potential harm of using such threats for attention.
Let’s be clear: when someone threatens suicide as a response to political disappointment, they risk diminishing the gravity of suicide itself. Such behavior not only disregards the pain of those genuinely struggling with suicidal thoughts, but it also encourages a disturbing precedent—that it’s acceptable to equate transient disappointment with a true mental health crisis.
In reality, suicide is a deeply serious issue that deserves our full attention and respect, and using it as a tool for emotional validation or attention-seeking does far, far more harm than good.
Additionally, problematic are those well-intentioned (or fellow performatively seeking attention) individuals who comment, validating the assertion that the threat of suicide on social media due to one’s preferred candidate losing an election is acceptable behavior.
For those who are truly struggling in the wake of these election results, I am so sorry that you are in such a deep dark place right now – please, please reach out to one of the many great resources available, including dialing 988 – the national suicide and crisis lifeline.
However, if this election loss has genuinely driven you to thoughts of self-harm, that points to a deeper issue that requires professional support beyond the political realm. I urge you to reach out for that help—both for this, and to address the root issue that has taken you to this dark place.
The vast overwhelming majority of people who have posted, however, are not suicidal. They are hurt or confused or angry in innumerable ways.
Threatening self-harm when your preferred candidate loses an election cheapens a conversation that demands utmost respect. We owe it to those suffering a real mental health crisis to treat their struggle with the seriousness it deserves—not to weaponize it in our selfish search for validation or attention.
Let’s remember that words have power, especially in a public forum. If you’re struggling, reach out. But if you’re not, your feelings don’t need validated. Rather, you need to be confronted with the inappropriate way that you chose to express those feelings, and then do some self-reflection.
