Preventing Suicide: Creating Hope through Action
On this Day – World Suicide Prevention Day [10th September]
Every year on September 10th, the world comes together to observe Suicide Prevention Day. This day serves as a powerful call and reminder that there is an alternative to suicide. It also suggests that our actions, no matter how big or small, we can provide help to those who are struggling and contemplating suicide.
Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death and thus is a very big global health emergency. Ingestion of pesticides, hanging and fire arms are the most common methods of dying of suicide globally.
Warning Signs of Suicide
Knowing the signs of distress can be a lifeline. Here are some signs to identify the person who may engage in suicidal behaviour —
- He/she is withdrawing from social interaction.
- Continuously talking about ending his / her life and questioning the purpose of life.
- If the person shows signs of hopelessness.
- Reaching out to people whom they have never spoken to in a long time.
- Has suffered a huge loss or death of a loved one and is not able to overcome the situation.
- Has lost interest in basic activities of life like eating and sleeping.
- Preparing for death (exploring methods, buying medicines in bulk etc…), Giving away their precious things to their loved ones.
- Engaging in risky behaviours.
- Someone who has already attempted suicide.
What We can do as a Community?
Gatekeeper Training: You can help the person by having a Gatekeeper Training in suicide which helps us understand the warning signs and risk factors of suicide. A gatekeeper is someone who believes that suicide is preventive. Someone who understands the vulnerability of this situation and is ready to give one’s time and energy for this cause.
Breaking the Silence: Suicide thrives in silence and secrecy. By breaking the silence and talking about it we eradicate the myths and help in reducing the count of death every year by suicide.
This is how You can Contribute:
Be there for your loved ones
Sometimes listening to them is the best we can do to make them feel better.
Encourage them to Seek Professional Help
A therapist can provide the support and guidance that they need to work through their problems
Help them identify their Coping Mechanisms
This can be used as a ray of hope and can be seen as a purpose in their life that they can build on later
Create a Supportive Environment
A supportive environment is needed where they are not judged about their feelings and thoughts.
Every individual who has suicidal thoughts, at some point, intentionally or unintentionally tries to show the warning signs. We as a community need to become aware of the issue. By talking about this difficult topic, together we can create a world where the darkness of suicide is replaced by the light of understanding, compassion and resilience.
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