Psychologist, Heal Yourself: This is a Suicide Crisis - Wake up

(Psychologist, Heal Yourself?is a series of reflections shared from my own lived experiences of trauma and happiness from the perspective of a psychologist and human to help others come to terms with their own lived stories and cope better during these challenging times)

Trigger warning: The following piece contains references to suicide.

I have worked over 30 years in youth work. At 19 I was part of Befrienders of Youth, an agency that went out on weekends to talk to the then "Street Kids" or Singapore - not homeless but those wearing different fashion statements, hanging out in large groups and some associated with gangs. They hung out at malls like Centrepoint Kids. I would sit with them and befriend them. I was also there if the police and or gang leaders came by to chat with them, ensuring both their protection and voice.

In my time with young people as a teacher in local polytechnics, universities and assisting with youth programmes with Singapore International Foundation, I have seen many challenges like self-harming, bringing knives to school and suicide. However they were the exception to the norm. These followed the general pattern of a smaller percentage of any population with existing mental health disorders mostly genetic. Working with young school leaders and the general youth population between 18-28 - usually they were hopeful, energetic and great peer supporters.

In the last 2 years post the pandemic and in these times of war and climate change and great economic uncertainty, and the rise of online bullying; I have uncovered the huge burnout in youth leaders and their inability to support their peers. I have referred more youths to professionals than before. I am writing as this is a societal shift of epic proportions and we need to come together more to support the youths - and create lines of support beyond the existing overworked social workers, teachers, psychologists and psychiatriats. We need certified youth workers, peer support curriculum at all major schools and institutes of higher education, we need the policing of the internet for trolls and we need to discuss suicides and suicide prevention and violent crimes among the young in ways we have never done before.

I still remember a parent asking me as he dealt with the suicide of his 17 year old daughters' friend, after I told him about the string of suicides I was aware of by my work. "Why did no one tell us?"

Another parent in another school who stormed up to the principal's office after her 14 year old daughter told her that her friend has suicidial ideation and did attempt. Thankfully, her daughter's friend survived. But what the mother was very angry over, was how this was the second attempt in less than 6 months in the same school. In the first a male student not much older took his life at home.

Parents feel at a loss

Teachers are at a loss because they are not trained (enough) for so many interventions and while most schools in Singapore have counsellors, one counsellor cannot manage a case load of therapy and also spot potential suicides effectively. In the Medium post mentioned below - a teacher in USA shares the same.

The youth leaders are burnout - coping through the same psychological instablity as those who ideate on suicide but managing to cope. Barely.

Recently, one of the youth leaders told me that they are in a Telegram group on Mental Heath Support and members of this group have been individually targetted and sent messages by 'anonymous' Telegram users who send videos of self harm and mutilations to them with texts encouraging them to take their lives. They are being bombarded with such violent suggestions.

I have been seeing this trend as a psychologist for over the last year in Singapore. So much so that I began to worry. Now with the latest news on the spike in suicides, we need to band together to understand the new extreme that has overtaken us.

An estimated 703,000 people died by suicide in 2019, making it one of the leading causes of death worldwide, according to a WHO?report. (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-02/singapore-suicides-rise-to-highest-in-over-20-years-samaritans)

According to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (USA):

“Thoughts of suicide can be frightening. But by reaching out for help or checking in with family and friends, we can avoid devastating outcomes.

• Suicide is the?2nd leading?cause of death among people aged 10–14 and the 3rd leading cause of death among those aged 15–24 in the U.S.
• Suicide is the?12th leading?cause of death overall in the U.S.
• 46%?of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition
• 90%?of people who die by suicide may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.”

I have no answers alone. I cannot look into the eyes of every child and adult and see their pain, and I cannot address their pain the way you who know them can. I need to feel that someone is there to help their neighbour, student, colleague, friend. I am a burnout psychologist - but I still care. Please Wake Up. Band together. The world is in pain - not just the few.

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/pals-recommend-best-resources-marion-neubronner/?trackingId=1JyYIQ4PR1yv5O1YKxpepw%3D%3D