Analyzing suicidal behavior through the lens of psychology

More than 700,000 people around the world die by suicide each year. Suicide is no longer merely an individual issue but a social challenge that society as a whole must confront together. Rory O'Connor, one of the world’s leading experts in suicide research, examines ten major myths surrounding suicide and carefully challenges the biases and misconceptions that many people unconsciously accept. He emphasizes that dismantling these misunderstandings is the essential first step toward understanding and responding to suicide appropriately.

Through his Integrated Motivational-Volitional Model, he explains in detail how suicidal thoughts develop and eventually lead to behavior, framing suicide not as a simple personal choice but as a complex psychological and social process. While acknowledging that suicide cannot be predicted with complete certainty, he argues that understanding various risk factors and implementing appropriate interventions and prevention strategies can save lives. Drawing on evidence-based research, he also presents practical approaches, including how to begin conversations with individuals experiencing crisis.