Suicide....

Suicide: Some facts and figures

           Suicide means intentional killing of one’s self…Over one million people commit suicide every year, making it the tenth-leading cause of death worldwide. It is a leading cause of death among teenagers and adults under 35. There are an estimated 10 to 20 million non-fatal attempted suicides every year worldwide.

     The predominant view is that suicide is a mental health concern, associated with psychological factors such as the difficulty of coping with depression, inescapable suffering or fear, or other mental disorders and pressures. A suicide attempt is sometimes interpreted as a "cry for help" and attention, or to express despair and the wish to escape, rather than a genuine intent to die. Most people who attempt suicide do not complete suicide on a first attempt; those who later gain a history of repetitions have a significantly higher probability of eventual completion of suicide.

A person who is thinking about suicide …

ž  Talks about suicide or death in general

ž  Talks about "going away"

ž  Talks about feeling hopeless or feeling guilty

ž  Pulls away from friends or family

ž  Lose the desire to take part in favorite things or activities

ž  Have trouble concentrating or thinking clearly

ž  Experience changes in eating or sleeping habits

ž  Self-destructive behavior (drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or driving too fast, for example).

    High Risk Groups…

ž  Single person living by themselves

ž  People affected by Serious diseases..Like HIV/ AIDS, TB, Cancers etc.

ž  People suffering from mental disorders like Major depressive disorders, Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder etc.

ž  Chronic Alcoholics and addicts affected by unemployment.

ž  Lesbians-Gay-Transgender people

    A common Pattern of Problematic aspects

ž  Long standing depression that hadn’t been attended to

ž  Fear of being punished, socially ostracized or being ridiculed for failure.

ž  Suffocating loneliness

ž  Sense of desperation driven by Unemployment

ž  Financial miseries

    Facts and Fictions

ž  FICTION: People who talk about it do not commit suicide

FACT: Most people who kill themselves have given definitive warnings of their intentions

ž  FICTION: Suicidal people are absolutely intent upon dying

FACT: Most suicidal people are ambivalent about dying or living

ž  FICTION:  Once a person becomes suicidal he remains suicidal forever.

FACT: Suicidal thoughts may return, but they are not permanent, and they may never return.

    What to do if My Friend, Spouse, Student, Neighbor is suicidal?

ž  Take the person seriously

ž  Get help of psychiatrist, counselor or psychologist.

ž  Express Concern.

ž  Make a contract.

ž  Pay attention, listen closely.

ž  Ask directly for any plan for suicide

ž  Acknowledge the feeling of a person in non Judgmental way.

ž  Don’t promise confidentiality

ž  Don’t leave the person alone until she is in the hands of professionals.

ž  Hospitalization if required

Remember suicidal thoughts or ideations can result due to extreme stress situations… if proper attention is paid to people who voice it, It can be prevented…Don’t hesitate to ask help from professionals even if YOU are among them….

Thank You

Swapnil Pange

Manaswa…