Suicide - Recognising Our Human Limitations in the Face of Mortality, Evaluating Our Collective Influence

This article draws inspiration from a blend of grief, the pressing need to shed light on taboo subjects, and the courage of individuals challenging societal norms. Centered around a male protagonist, it builds upon my 2017 piece, "It's all about men," which aimed to destigmatise men's mental health and address the higher suicide rates among men. Delving into the topic of suicide is an emotionally charged endeavor, given alarming statistics such as 5,224 suicides recorded in England and Wales in 2022 (with 75.1% being men). Every 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide worldwide, amounting to over 800,000 deaths annually.

Comedian Cariad Lloyd, renowned for her award-winning podcast Griefcast and forthcoming book on coping with loss, offers a poignant quote: "You will get it wrong... but you can't make it worse." Her conversations with numerous bereaved individuals have empowered me to broach the subject of suicide, its underlying causes, and potential prevention strategies.

Social cognition, our ability to understand others and share experiences, plays a pivotal role in predicting their behavior. However, societal expectations and entrenched gender roles contribute to men's reluctance to discuss or seek help for their mental health challenges. While we recognise the harmful impact of gender stereotypes on women, it is crucial to acknowledge that these stereotypes and expectations can also detrimentally affect men.

In his seminal work, "Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness," first published in December 1989, William Styron fearlessly recounts his harrowing descent into a debilitating and near-suicidal depression. Styron became one of the first writers to vividly capture the terrifying landscape of depression and the path to recovery. His memoir emphasises the importance of resilience and proactive efforts to seek help and treatment, not just for depression but for any mental illness. Concealing one's affliction out of shame, fear, or indifference diminishes the chances of recovery and heightens the risk of succumbing to symptoms, including suicide.

Our perception of existence within the confines of time is shaped by self-awareness, memories, and future plans. Yet, to what extent does it serve as an objective measure? The artists in the exhibitions "Beyond Borders" and "Binaries" challenge conventional dichotomies and embrace multiplicity, fostering a nuanced understanding of our increasingly complex world. Despite the apparent intensification of divisions, closer examination reveals intricate realities. Many of these complexities are intrinsically linked, to varying degrees, to what we perceive as nature. Consequently, the prevailing dualistic frameworks governing economies, cultures, sciences, and societies are gradually giving way to polyphony and open-mindedness.

Suicide often represents the culmination of a convoluted history of risk factors and distressing events. Effectively addressing suicide prevention requires acknowledging this complexity. For those who resonate with this article and wish to take preventive action in their personal, professional, or public spheres, I present a diverse range of groups within our society that we may not typically consider: middle-aged men, self-harmers, children and young people, individuals with mental illnesses or seeking mental health services, economically vulnerable individuals, healthcare and social care personnel, and those in contact with the criminal justice system.

To effect change and reduce the incidence of suicide and the profound grief it engenders, collective action is imperative. Together, we can make a difference.