Conversations about Ronnie McNutt’s death and the viral Facebook Live video often use clinical shorthand: suicide contagion, postvention, disenfranchised grief, means restriction, prolonged grief disorder. Some of those terms have clear, current definitions from public-health bodies; others are used loosely in community discussions without a single official definition. The stakes are high: CDC reports 48,824 suicide deaths in the U.S. in 2024, and WHO counts 727,000 deaths globally each year. This glossary walks through the terms that official sources define and flags the ones you are most likely to encounter when reading about suicide loss and online exposure to graphic content.
Suicide, attempt, and ideation
Suicide is death caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die. A suicide attempt is when someone harms themselves with any intent to end their life but does not die as a result. Suicidal ideation means experiencing suicidal thoughts. Warning signs can include talking about a wish to die, preparing a will, giving away valued possessions, tidying up a living space, or researching weapons and harmful substances. Mayo Clinic notes that some people make their intentions clear while others keep suicidal thoughts secret, so a change in routine, mood swings, or saying goodbye as if permanently can be important signals.
Risk factors and warning signs
Risk factors include mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders, as well as previous suicide attempts, bereavement, relationship breakups, divorce, loneliness, chronic pain, financial problems, and access to lethal means. WHO points out that many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis when a person cannot cope with life stresses such as financial problems, relationship disputes, or chronic illness. Warning signs are not always obvious; they may include withdrawal from social contact, increased alcohol or drug use, giving away belongings, or developing personality changes and severe anxiety or agitation.
Means restriction and media reporting
Means restriction is the practice of limiting access to methods of suicide, such as firearms, pesticides, and certain medications. WHO lists “limit access to the means of suicide” as one of its key effective interventions, and public-health guidance also describes careful media reporting about suicide as a prevention measure. For people affected by a widely shared video, this is one reason health groups urge platforms and users not to repost graphic content: reducing exposure to detailed methods or visuals is part of prevention.
What survivors may feel
When someone dies by suicide, surviving family and friends may experience prolonged grief, shock, anger, guilt, symptoms of depression or anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide themselves, according to CDC. These reactions are not a single disorder with one timeline; they vary from person to person. The term “prolonged grief” appears in CDC materials, but a formal diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder is not defined in the public-health sources used for this glossary.
Making the terms stick
Learning this vocabulary is easier when you rehearse the words. You can review the clearer definitions as word meanings with flashcards, quizzes, and example sentences. If you see a term like postvention or disenfranchised grief, check whether the source defines it; many do not.
Getting help now
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7, free and confidential; veterans can press 1, and Spanish speakers can call 1-888-628-9454. If you are not in immediate danger but feel suicidal, tell a trusted person, contact a faith leader, call a hotline, or make an appointment with a health care provider. SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP offers free, confidential treatment referral and information 24/7.