World Suicide Prevention Day - 3 simple steps to Save Lives
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September 07, 2020
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'Suicide is NOT a permanent solution to a temporary problem'
Suicide is the act of killing oneself, mostly due to depression or other mental illness.
"Deep emotional pain" is a recurring theme in the suicide theory.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that suicide is a serious public "health problem" and is "preventable" with timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions.
As per the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data - India has reported an average of 381 deaths by suicide daily in 2019, totaling 1,39,123 fatalities. An increase of 3.4 per cent was observed in suicides during 2019 as compared to 2018 (1,34,516) and 2017 (1,29,887), the data showed.
The international theme for World Suicide Prevention Day is 'Working together to prevent suicide'. Based on it myHealthmeter suggests 3 simple steps to save lives.
- Learn the signs
If you are attentive you can judge the intension of a person to suicide. If the person expresses a lot of anger, feels abused or trapped and has no hope to escape. If he/she has withdrawn from the family and friends, behaving abnormally, mentally as well physically, thinking or talking about death, disposing away their precious things, acquiring certain dangerous items like any weapon etc then it is a matter of worry.
Bipolar Disorder, Depression, PTSD, Schizophrenia, Borderline Personality Disorder, Eating Disorders, OCD may be certain mental illnesses that require immediate attention. These are some signs and symptoms of people planning to commit suicide. Such prospective suicides can be prevented. People with such symptoms need to be cared for immediately.
- Practice self-care
The emotional crises that usually precede suicide are often recognizable and treatable. Serious depression can be manifested in obvious sadness, but often it is rather expressed as a loss of pleasure or withdrawal from activities that had been enjoyable. One can help prevent suicide through early recognition and treatment of depression and other psychiatric illnesses.
If you or anyone is having thoughts of suicide, it is almost certain one has developed a depressive illness. This illness, caused by stress in life, distorts the view of the situation and the future. Speaking out and sharing is the best remedy to subdue depression.
It could be you, talk to your close friends immediately.
It could be your loved one, encourage them to speak up. Create the environment of care, let them know you are there, only for them. Listen to them very patiently and carefully.
Suicides can be prevented. Efforts have to be made. Suicide prevention can be achieved through education, emotional support and treatment. They need urgent mental and physical treatment by a health professional.
- Reach out
There are two kinds of suicidal ideation: Passive and Active.
Passive suicidal: It occurs when one wishes one were dead or that one could die. Although, they may not have plans to commit suicide. But they constantly think about it.
Active suicidal: On the other hand, here a person is not only thinking about it but have the intent to commit suicide. A person may be constantly finding ways to end his / her life.
Remember that passive suicidal ideation, wishing that one could die is not necessarily any less serious than active suicidal ideation. It can quickly turn active. If you think anyone, your loved one, friends or colleague is thinking about it, speak to them. Encourage them to share with you the core problem troubling them. Asking shows that you're concerned and that you care about the person.
If required please reach out to your nearest health specialist. Or you may call on the following numbers too.
Helplines:
1) Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health - 1860-2662-345 / 1800-2333-330 (24 hours)
2) TISS iCall - 022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm)
*Disclaimer: Above mentioned are few suggested helpline numbers just to provide information on trusted mental health helpline in India. myHealthmeter does not endorse or has direct tie-up with these providers and cannot be held liable for any issues arising from usage of these independent third party services.