International Survivors of suicide loss day

Suicide and its side effects.

A life lost to suicide, is a loss for the entire society!

The word suicide is enough in itself to give you goosebumps and remind you of incidents you might never want to think of. But it cannot be ignored or kept away because it is disturbing, rather, more should be spoken and shared about it to prevent it from happening in the first place.

‘International survivors of suicide loss day’ is a day dedicated by the United States for families and friends who have lost people to suicide. We cannot imagine the agony that the family of a person who commits suicide goes through. So many questions unanswered, so many doubts unresolved and topping them all would be the guilt of not being able to help the one they lost.

Putting light on the ‘Why’ behind suicide

? Emotional pain: This is one aspect not much spoken about when it comes to dealing with suicide. Stress, anxiety, depression and every other reason is secondary, while the primary reason lies in the emotional pain. It is the pain that is so much more than everything else combined. The big and small pleasures of life, the everyday hustle, the relationships they share with other people, nothing seems pleasurable anymore when a person is suicidal and going through emotional pain.

? Depression: It is highly mistaken that depression is the sole reason behind committing suicide. Well, it is not. There can be many reasons why a person would commit suicide and decide to end his or her life.

? Life stressors: Such as losing a job, not being able to pay the rent, going in debt, divorce or break up and so on. These might not lead to depression but their effect can be so bad on some individuals that they decide to directly just end their life.

? Low self-esteem or self-worth: If these are personality traits of a person and life stressors are added on, there is a very less possibility the person can deal with those stressors without help from outside.

Survivors of suicide loss

When an individual commits suicide, it is not that person alone who suffers. Suffering with that person and mourning his or her loss is the entire family, the entire circle, their pets, and every mental health professional who stresses everyday on the importance of being emotionally and mentally healthy. It is a loss for the entire society.

The survivors of suicide loss have so many questions that would remain unanswered forever. There is also a guilt that remains with them of not being able to help or save their loved one from taking their own life. A family member or a friend committing suicide can disturb individuals so much so that they begin to feel incapable of extending support to other people. It can make them fearful of building close relationships with other people in the future.

We live in a society and it becomes very important hence to support one another. Every Saturday before Thanksgiving is hence dedicated as an International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. This is the day when friends and families come together in support of each other for the loss of their loved one.

However, just one day cannot be enough to extend support for such sensitive issues and hence we as a society should grow and come together to make it a better world, a world where in the rates of suicide drop and drop until they are completely zero.

Guide on suicide prevention

? Be empathetic to everyone around

? Avoid passing judgements

? Talk to everyone mindfully

? Listen when someone wants to share something

? Refrain yourself from giving advice when not asked

? Be aware and try to create more awareness on suicide prevention helplines

? Try and seek professional help when you or someone you know feels suicidal

Guide to help survivors of suicide loss

? Avoid asking them questions related to the incident

? Be empathetic but not sympathetic towards them

? Avoid asking ‘why’ questions related to their loss

? Ask them about their emotional and mental well-being

? Talk to them without judgement

? Be mindful while speaking to them

“Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back, and reasons to stay.” - Dalai Lama

Article by our consulting Psychologist at Plan My Health & Edu Cure