Itsemurhasta

Itsemurhasta is a Finnish term used to refer to the topic of suicide. Grammatically, it is the elative form (-sta/-stä) of itsemurha, which means suicide. The word derives from itse (self) and murha (murder), reflecting its historical sense as the act of taking one’s own life. In practical use, itsemurhasta appears in sentences that discuss suicide as a subject, for example with verbs such as puhua (to talk about) or keskustella (to discuss).

In Finnish discourse, discussing suicide is treated as a sensitive matter. Public health and media guidelines emphasize responsible handling to reduce distress and avoid sensationalism. When suicide is covered in journalism or studied in research, the focus is typically on prevention, risk factors, and access to support and care rather than on sensational description. Itsemurhasta can thus function in both everyday and formal language to indicate the topic of discussion, inquiry, or reporting without depicting methods.

Related terms include itsemurha itself and broader discussions of self-harm and suicide prevention. The topic intersects with mental health, social determinants, and health policy, highlighting the importance of care, crisis resources, and stigma reduction in both public and scholarly contexts.

If you or someone you know is in distress, seek help from a trusted person or contact local emergency services. In emergencies, dial your country’s emergency number (for example, 112 in many European countries). Professional support lines and mental health services are available in many regions.