Suicide is an act of intentionally giving up one's life. It is a complex and very serious condition that affects individuals worldwide. However subsumed these reasons may be, this usually occurs when a person is in a lot of pain emotionally and feels hopeless and helpless. People who commit suicide may feel that there is no value in living anymore and think of suicide as the only way out of problems.
Risk Factors
Traumatic life experiences like physical, psychological, or sexual abuse, domestic violence, or the loss of a close loved one can significantly raise the experience of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Trauma often increases depression and a sense of hopelessness that creates severe emotional pain and makes it more difficult to overcome life challenges.
Suicide is characterized by loneliness, lack of social support, or estrangement from friends and family. Isolation and bullying may deprive someone of connection, support, and a sense of belonging, which are some of the key elements for maintaining good mental health.
Suicide is strongly linked to illnesses such as major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder, as well as stigma associated with mental illness. These diseases, along with discrimination, often lead to extreme painful emotional distress or despair, feelings of worthlessness, or a perceived loss of future options.
Abuse of alcohol and other drugs heightens symptoms of mental health conditions, increases impulsivity, and leads to poor judgment. Substance abuse is also associated with heightened risk of suicidal ideation and behaviors because substance abuse damages relationships, interferes with employment and financial stability, and may make an individual feel hopeless.
Suicide may result from feelings of depression and despair related to the diagnosis of a debilitating illness or chronic pain. For some whose quality of life is compromised by constant battling with debilitating medical conditions, suicide may be viewed as a means of escape from physical suffering and a sense of hopelessness.
Genetics and environmental factors, such as exposure to suicidal behavior, may elevate an individual's risk of suicide or disorders such as depression when family history of the condition is present.
People who previously have attempted suicide are far more likely to try it again. Past suicidal ideation and behavior often times serve as an indication of unresolved issues and increased distress.
Possession of lethal weapons, drugs or other tools used for self-destruction enhances the possibility of succeeding the suicidal attempt. Elimination of these resources or means can be one of the precautionary measures.
Suicidal thoughts may be developed among vulnerable individuals following a significant life event, including the death of a close relative, separation from a spouse, intimate partner, boyfriend, or girlfriend, a job loss, or financial downfall.
Warning Signs
Verbal Cues
• Talking or posting about wanting to die or that staying alive is purposeless
• A feeling of helplessness
• Mentioning to have extreme pain or feeling trapped
• Expressing not wanting to burden others
• Saying good-bye as if it is the last time to a close one
Behavioral Signs
• Increase in drugs or alcohol consumption
• Withdrawal from their previous interests in hobbies, friends and family
• Sleeping and eating changes
• Reckless behavior or an increase in risk
• Giving away valuable possessions
• Displaying extreme mood swings, such as sudden calmness after a period of depression, that could indicate they have made the decision to end their life
• Withdrawal from self-care
• Shows interest in lethal means
Intervention
Building and Sustaining Good Social Contacts: Encourage them to establish and maintain good networks with friends, relatives, and acquaintances.
Promote an open discussion of issues related to mental health with a view to reducing stigma so that more people can seek the treatment they need.
Improve Access to Mental Health Care: Promote accessible, affordable mental health care services and encourage those in distress to seek professional help as early as possible.
Crisis Intervention
• Educate about Warning Signs: Educate families, friends, schools, and society at large about the warning signs of suicide and appropriate responses in relation to such warning signs.
• Reduce Access to Means: Specifically, for those at risk, reduce access to weapons, drugs, and other means for carrying out self-harm.
How to respond when you come across a potential victim
Talk with the person: You have to talk with them in person and show concern regarding how they feel. This is contrary to the myth; talking about suicide does not increase the risk. On the contrary, it aids by giving them a voice to articulate their feelings.
Listen: Lend a sympathetic ear and demonstrate understanding. Provide them an opportunity to pour out their suffering and vent their aching out without an attempt made to solve the problem or aimed at belittling their feelings.
Encourage Professional Assistance: Encourage seeking professional help from a mental expert such as therapist or counselor who can give them proper help and advice. You could readily volunteer to accompany them or even assist in scheduling the appointment.
Stay with Them: If they are in immediate danger, do not leave them alone. Continue to stay with them and remove anything they might use.
Call Emergency Service: Take them to the nearest hospital or call emergency services if you believe that they might pose a suicide risk at any moment.
Follow-up: Ensure you provide them with consistent updates. Show them that you care and support them. Relentless assistance can have a big impact.
Understanding suicide, its risk factors, and warning signs can help further the cause of mental health and prevent tragedies. We can encourage open conversations, support those in distress, and take prompt action when needed to help them find hope in their paths to recovery. By promoting frank discussions on mental health, thereby reducing stigma, we will make society more supportive for those who need our help.