Suicide Awareness: Re-Thinking Suicide Attitude

Suicide is death caused by self-inflicted injury with the intent to die. It’s common among all age groups and affects many people. Suicide doesn’t always have clear warning signs. It can happen suddenly, without any indication that something is wrong. Suicide doesn’t always have clear warning signs. It can happen suddenly, without any indication that something is wrong. Suicide is a significant public health issue that necessitates a response from public health. We have reached a point where we cannot overlook suicide and must not turn a blind eye to it, since it continues to be one of the primary causes of death globally. By employing timely, evidence-supported, and frequently affordable measures, suicides can be averted. It is a complicated human behavior influenced by several interacting factors. As per the latest WHO report, annually, more individuals succumb to suicide than to HIV, malaria, breast cancer, or war and homicide combined. It is estimated that over 700,000 individuals take their own lives each year. The issue of suicide prevention has not been sufficiently tackled because of insufficient awareness regarding suicide as a significant public health concern and the cultural taboos surrounding open discussions about it in numerous societies.

Stigma, especially related to mental illnesses and suicide, causes many individuals contemplating suicide or who have attempted it to refrain from seeking assistance, resulting in them not receiving the necessary support. As of now, only a limited number of nations have made suicide prevention a part of their health priorities, with just 38 countries indicating they possess a national suicide prevention strategy. Increasing community awareness and dismantling the stigma is crucial for nations to advance in suicide prevention initiatives. Worldwide, the suicide rate is declining; in India, it is increasing. Currently, India is experiencing a continuous rise in the suicide death rate, which is calculated as the number of suicide fatalities per year per 100,000 individuals. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted) and the following are the Suicide rates in India 2000-202, as per the World Bank report:

• India's suicide rate for 2019 was 12.70, a 0.79% increase from 2018.
• India's suicide rate for 2018 was 12.60, a 5% increase from 2017.
• India's suicide rate for 2017 was 12.00, a 0.83% decline from 2016.
• India's suicide rate for 2016 was 12.10, a 1.63% decline from 2015.

Studies indicate that the majority of individuals who plan to commit suicide make some effort to communicate their intentions to others before taking action. These "warning signs" include individual actions and verbal and non-verbal expressions. Mental and emotional disorders like depression and bipolar disorder are frequently associated with suicidal thoughts. The likelihood of suicide might be highest as the individual's depression starts to improve. Numerous factors contribute to suicidal thoughts. Suicidal thoughts usually stem from challenging and depressive life circumstances (For instance: feeling unable to manage when confronted with what appears to be an insurmountable life issue). At this moment, lacking hope for the future might lead you to believe that suicide is a remedy incorrectly. You might go through a form of tunnel vision, where during a crisis, you think that suicide is the sole escape. Conversely, there could also be a hereditary connection to suicide. Individuals who commit suicide or experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors are more prone to having a family background of suicide. While suicide is a heartbreaking occurrence, it can be averted by recognizing the warning signs and knowing how to seek immediate assistance and professional care. Doing so may save a life — your own or someone else’s. Some of the suicide underlying risk factors are:

• Previous suicide attempt(s)
• A history of suicide in the family
• Substance misuse
• Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)
• Access to lethal means (e.g., keeping firearms in the home)
• Losses and other events (for example, the breakup of a relationship or a death, academic failures, legal difficulties, financial difficulties, bullying)
• History of trauma or abuse (Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse)
• Chronic physical illness, including chronic pain
• Being exposed to others' suicidal behaviour, such as that of family members, peers, or celebrities

In some cases, a recent stressor, abrupt disastrous incident, or setback can cause individuals to feel hopeless, unable to envision a solution and become a "tipping point" leading to suicide. Although a mental health issue can be a contributing factor for numerous individuals, various elements play a role in suicide among those with and without identifiable mental health issues. A relationship issue was the primary factor leading to suicide, followed by a crisis experienced in the previous or next two weeks and troubling substance use.

Prevention and Diagnosis

The good news is that suicide is preventable and treatable. Preventing suicide requires strategies at all levels of society. The following are some of the strategies:

1. Identify and Assist Persons at Risk (Examples of activities in this strategy include gatekeeper training, suicide screening, and teaching?warning signs)
2. Ensure Access to Effective Mental Health and Suicide Care and Treatment (Safety Planning, Collaborative Care, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy).
3. Respond Effectively to Individuals in Crisis (Teach coping and problem-solving skills through social-emotional learning programs)
4. Provide for Immediate and Long-Term Postvention (Lessen harms and prevent future risk)
5. Reduce Access to Means of Suicide (Create protective environments access to lethal means among persons at risk of suicide)
6. Promote Social Connectedness and Support (Promote Connectedness-Peer norm programs-Community engagement activities

Most people can be helped in getting through their moment of crisis if they have someone who will spend time with them, listen, take them seriously, and help them talk about their thoughts and feelings. Suicide is linked to mental disorders, particularly depression and alcohol use disorders, and the strongest risk factor for suicide is a previous suicide attempt. Some individuals at risk for suicide might benefit from medication. Most importantly, no single approach can do it all. “When you're thinking about suicide prevention, you've got to think at many levels all at once.” However, many of them may have been dealing with mental health challenges that had not been diagnosed or known to those around them.

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Learn more about Suicide and Suicide Prevention from:

https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/prevention/index.html

https://www.sprc.org/effective-prevention/comprehensive-approach

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/suicide-prevention