Relating to suicide or someone considering ending their life; also used to describe something extremely dangerous or reckless.
From 'suicide' (from Latin 'sui' meaning self + 'caedere' meaning to kill) + '-al' (adjective suffix), entered English in the 1700s.
While this word has a serious medical meaning, people often use it casually ('that's suicidal!') to mean risky, which can unintentionally trivialize real mental health struggles that need compassion.
Suicide ideation is discussed clinically with gender-neutral language, but cultural stigma disproportionately affects how men's vs. women's suicidal crises are perceived and treated. Language matters in mental health contexts where gender bias affects both diagnosis and intervention.
Use only in clinical/serious contexts. Avoid as hyperbole ('I'm suicidal over this deadline'). Pair with mental health resources when discussing.
["in crisis","experiencing suicidal ideation","mentally distressed"]
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