Is suicide preventable?

‘World Suicide Prevention Day’ is observed on 10 Sept every year. The theme for this year’s Suicide Prevention Day is ‘Working together to prevent suicide’. Suicide is escaping from self and unpleasant reality of life.

Thought process

Suicidal thoughts start building gradually and if a person or those around the person fail to notice such thoughts, the situations worsens day-by-day. People often create unreasonable standards for personal happiness and become emotionally weak when they receive setbacks. The difference between standards and perceived reality initiates the suicidal process. Low self-esteem is another reason for suicidal thoughts. The person who attempts suicide feels helpless and hopeless and thus feels death is only thing that can end his/her pain. The person reaches emotional numbness, feels empty, unfocused, disconnected from surroundings and suicide seems to be the only possible solution. Physical and mental illness also cause a person to be suicidal.

Reasons

Major causes for suicide in India include debt, marriage related issues, failure, illness, loss of loved one, addiction, fall in social reputation, love affairs, poverty, unemployment, property disputes.

Warning Signs

Long lasting sadness, extreme mood swings

Sleep problem

Deep sense of hopelessness

Withdrawing self from social activities

Change in behaviour

Sudden inattention to appearance

Recent emotional trauma

Talking about suicide or ending life or death

Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Excessive fatigue and lethargy

Loss of interest

Sudden aggression or irritability

Self-harming behaviour

Family history of suicide

Mental illness

What we can do?

First step in suicide prevention is knowledge of the risk factors. The awareness about mental health is so less in India that it is left untreated most of the time. And by the time we notice it, it has already done the damage. If someone you know shows warning signs of suicide, openly talk to them and be ready to help. Sometimes, having someone to care for us is a great relief for such people and they share their distress. You can then encourage that person to take professional help.

Working on shame and stigma attached to mental illness is also important. People who have intense emotional problems resist to take professional help in the fear of being discriminated. A person with mental illness is often judged by society. It is important to know that mental illness are curable with the help of proper therapy/treatment.

If you notice someone who is in self-destructive or self-harm behaviour, it should immediately be brought to the notice of nearest family members. Such people should always be accompanied by someone.

Community based awareness programs on mental health related issues is the need of the hour. Everyone from a 5 year old child to 60 year old retired officer face some kind of stress which is most often left unnoticed and untreated. Talking about mental health can help individuals cope with life stress more effectively.

Building a strong support network of family and friends helps us share our feelings and restore hope & faith in ourselves & life. Offering unconditional support to a friend when needed is also important.

Yoga, meditation, relaxation techniques, mindfulness are some tools to keep mind healthy & happy.

Easy access to mental health professionals is also very important in maintaining good mental health.

If we all are determined to show a little compassion towards each other, we can foster our own as well as other’s mental health.