Every year 10th of October is observed as the World Mental Health Day. It is organized by the World Federation for Mental Health. This year the Day is also supported by the WHO, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, and the United for Global Mental Health agency. This year the theme is “Working together to prevent suicide’’. We really can save someone life by helping each other. According to researchers, about 8,00,000 people die due to suicide every year which is one person every 40 seconds. Suicide is universal phenomenon and can cause mortality at any point of a person’s lifespan. Effective and evidence-based interventions are needed at population, sub-population and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. There are reports that for each adult who die by suicide there are 20 others attempting suicide.
Some common causes of suicide are:
1. Family problems
2. Financial problems
3. Illness
4. Death of loved ones
5. Fall in social reputation
6. Alcoholic or substance abuse,
7. Addiction to gambling, gaming or any other activity.
India has among the highest suicide rates in the South-east Asian region and it has been increasing every year.
Let’s understand suicide
A person who thinks to commit suicide usually never asks for any help but he will always display signals in the way he behaves or say things. The verbal or non-verbal gestures of that person carry tell-tale signs like feelings of extreme hopelessness and despair, propensity to withdraw self from social connections, tendency to self harm or directly talk about ending one’s life. Suicidal tendencies are a cry for help and indications that a life or lives may be under threat. A basic perspective has to be made clear with us that not all the suicidal people are crazy or insane. These are ordinary people within from our own homes or social circles who are upset, grieving, depressed or frustrated with a loss or non-fulfilment of expectations from self or from those around his life. You and I can save such lives by being more considerate of their situation, empathizing with their agonies and lending them a patient ear or a helping hand. We have to change ourselves in the way we think and talk and develop a more compassionate and humane personality. We must nurture in us few simple but highly effective virtues like ability to listen more considerately the views of others, spend quality time with our near and dear ones, appreciate the problems being faced by them and be willing to provide all the necessary support possible. It’s all in our minds – the decision to how we perceive the world around us and how we mirror our personality in our actions. Trying to put the blame squarely on the aggrieved person is a futile and unworthy exercise which will only reduce the quality and strength of relations and push the person further to the brink of suicide.
Preventive Steps
There are several ways in which one can assuage the suicidal feelings building up inside of us. Some of the key approaches are listed below:
1. Try to talk to someone you trust.
If you think others will be judgemental then seek a professional help like consult a counsellor or mental health helpers.
2. Try to solve the problem.
Instead of running away or compressing and building negative thoughts or feelings inside try to talk about the issue immediately.
3. Get an emotional support immediately.
Make your parents, friends and your loved ones understand what you are going through; you also need to understand and realise that this feeling is just temporary.
4. Have hope in God.
God has a purpose to have sent you in this beautiful world and you just cannot end your life without fulfilling God’s plan. Every individual is gifted and unique. God will take one’s life when the right time comes. If you feel distressed and sad then talk to God – He is there to listen.
5. Know your warning signs.
If you are feeling hesitant to act on any of the above approaches then you are also likely or already became a prey to suicidal tendencies. It’s never too late. Suicide can be prevented and treated; take your step today to bring changes in your life.
Nukshi Esther Imsong
Director of IPCER &MMC counselling Department
