WHAT IS SUICIDE?
Suicide is an act or instance of taking one’s own life
intentionally or voluntarily. Suicide can also be seen as a
senseless act to those who wish to live, but, death as an option to one's problems
makes sense to the suicidal person. The thought of suicide occurs most often
when a person feels they have run out of solutions to problems that seem
inescapable, intolerably painful, and never-ending.
UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE
The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 1
million people die each year from suicide. What drives so many individuals to
take their own lives? To those not in the grips of suicidal depression and
despair, it's difficult to understand what drives so many individuals to take
their own lives. But a suicidal person is in so much pain that he or she can
see no other option.
Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has
become unbearable. Blinded by feelings of self-loathing, hopelessness, and
isolation, a suicidal person can't see any way of finding relief except through
death. But despite their desire for the pain to stop, most suicidal people are
deeply conflicted about ending their own lives. They wish there was an
alternative to suicide, but they just can't see one.
WHY DO PEOPLE COMMIT SUICIDE?
It may
be a physical or mental illness that deteriorates the body or mind. Or, it may
result from the death or suicide of a loved one. Perhaps, it's a
downward spiral from money woes and a devastating change in lifestyle. For
some, public disgrace or humilation makes it
intolerable to go on living; while, for others, the intolerable condition may result
from the post-trumatic stress of
military combat, homicide, rape, or imprisonment.
It
doesn't matter how we'd respond, or how severe the circumstances seem to us,
suicidal people cannot love life or find meaning in it, in their deteriorated
mental state. Nonetheless, it's important for us to know that they do not
really want to die; they just want a way out from their suffering. Suicide
seems like the only way out.
No matter the situation that brings a person
to contemplate death, there's one thing that suicidal people share in common;
they cannot love life, right now. They have experienced a basic and
comprehensive breakdown in their values, way of living, self-esteem, and ability to
make sense of life and to give it meaning that restores their hope and the will
to live.
SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS
Talking about suicide – Any talk about suicide, dying, or self-harm, such as
"I wish I hadn't been born," "If I see you again..." and
"I'd be better off dead." Are more prompt to committing suicide.
·
Seeking out lethal means – Seeking access to guns, pills, knives, or other objects that
could be used in a suicide attempt.
·
Preoccupation with death – Unusual focus on death, dying, or violence. Writing poems or
stories about death.
·
No hope for the future – Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and being trapped
("There's no way out").Belief that things will never get better or
change.
·
Self-loathing, self-hatred – Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, shame, and self-hatred.
Feeling like a burden ("Everyone would be better off without me").
·
Saying goodbye – Unusual or unexpected visits or calls to family and friends.
Saying goodbye to people as if they won't be seen again.
·
Withdrawing from others – Withdrawing from friends and family. Increasing social
isolation. Desire to be left alone.
·
Self-destructive behavior – Increased alcohol or drug use, reckless
driving, unsafe sex. Taking unnecessary risks as if they have a "death
wish."
·
Sudden sense of calm – A sudden sense of calm and happiness after being extremely
depressed can mean that the person has made a decision to attempt suicide.
WAYS TO PREVENT SUICIDE
1. Spread hope: In ways that are sincere and
meaningful, find ways to focus on the idea that suffering is temporary and that
things will get better. Hope comes from the belief that despair is not
permanent.
2. Talk about suicide: If you are having thoughts of
suicide, tell someone. The more you talk about it to other people, the more
likely you are to find help and support. Tell family members, pastors, friends,
co-workers, and mental health professionals. And if you know of someone
who is feeling suicidal, talk about it. Help them to monitor their thoughts,
checking for warning signs that the person might be preparing to take
action.
3. Learn the warning signs: People who are at
greatest risk for killing themselves exhibit the following signs: Killing
themselves, Having no reason to live, Being a burden to others, Feeling
trapped, Unbearable pain. And if a person’s behaviors change: Increased
use of alcohol or drugs. Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as
searching online for materials or means, etc. Also If a person’s mood changes
due to depression, Loss of interest, Rage, Irritability,
Humiliation, and anxiety.
4. Know where to go: All of us need to know the
local, regional and national resources that offer prevention, education, and
support services for mental health. Know who your local mental health care
professionals are in your neighborhood.
5. Be an advocate: Talk to your pastors, teachers,
first responders, mental health providers, and city council about how your
local community is working to prevent suicide. Is there training for school
teachers to look for warning signs? Are there enough mental health service
providers that are accessible and affordable to provide care before a crisis
erupts?
6. Listen and then listen some more: Pay
close attention to how people express themselves. Listen for ways that people
communicate their emotional state. If you think a person might be considering
self-harm, ask them. And listen to what they say. Listen to what they say and
to what they don’t say.
7. Sew a safety net: I don’t sew (just ask my
grandma). But I do know how to ensure my loved ones who are at high risk for
killing themselves have a safety net. We all need a safety net, people and a
plan in place to protect us and keep us safe. A safety net means a clear way of
being connected to others who care. It’s often informal, but it can be recorded
in a contract, promising that if thoughts of self-harm persist, then others
will be notified. My brother promises to call his psychiatrist, and to go to
the hospital if he is feeling at risk of killing himself.
8. Show Compassion: People who attempt suicide, the
survivors of suicide and their loved ones, and for those who have experienced
the death of a loved one to suicide are in great need of compassion. There is
absolutely no place for judgment or blame, especially from religious
communities. Suicide is a tragedy that leaves a terrible amount of suffering in
its path. Anger, shock, grief, disbelief, sorrow, and fear can all be part of
the mixture of emotional responses to a suicide or attempt. Given the
devastating nature of suicide and the sense of helplessness associated with it,
compassion must be demonstrated in order to facilitate healing.
10. See it everywhere: Suicide gets its power from
being invisible, when we aren’t looking for it, we don’t see it. We assume it
could never happen to the straight-A-student athlete, or the pastor, or the
lawyer. The stigma and shame around mental illness in all communities is real,
but especially in communities of color. We need to see suicide everywhere
because no one is immune. Suicide impacts every race, religion, gender, age,
income and educational level, culture, nationality, ethnicity and sexual
orientation.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in our country. Once
we acknowledge its presence in our communities, we can work together on
prevention
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