Public Health Action for the Prevention of Suicide

What Is Suicide?

Suicide means ending own life or death caused by self-directed violence with an intent to die. It is a method of escaping one from pain or suffering. However, suicide is preventable. It impacts the life of an individual, family, and friends. Therefore, a suicide attempt is considered a crime. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death globally. Around eight hundred thousand people die every year. The suicide rate of men is two to three times higher than women. It is especially seen in teenagers than in the old age population due to stress and violence. The world suicide prevention day is celebrated on September 10th. During this day, several communities came together and create awareness regarding suicide prevention.

What Are the Warning Signs of a Suicidal Person?

The following are the signs of a suicidal person:

• The person may experience severe mood swings and changes in thoughts.

• The person is not able to control their sadness and anger.

• When a person has lost hope in life and the future.

• Poor self-esteem, doubt about self-worth, and negative thoughts scattering in the mind. These kinds of feelings may affect the person in the long term.

• The affected person feels lonely even when a group of people, such as family or friends surrounds the person.

• Triggered events and previous negative experiences that haunt an individual throughout life can also be the reason for a suicide attempt.

• An affected person develops insecurities in their mind for no reason.

• For the last time, several people who are thinking of doing suicide do a phone call to the people to say last good bye..

• The person talks about tricks to kill themselves.

• Alcohol or substance abuse can trigger the mind and bring suicidal thoughts.

• They feel trapped.

• Agitation, anxiety, inability to sleep, or sleeping all the time.

• People give away possessions and refer to things not needed.

• When the person feels unbearable pain and lose hope.

• When the person feels guilt or shame.

• A change in the person's behavior.

• The affected person may become violent and do suicide.

• The affected person loses interest in personal hygiene maintenance.

• If the affected person get trapped in some situation and lose hope to get out of it.

What Are the Causes and Risk Factors for Suicide?

The reasons and risk factors for suicide are as follows:

• Financial burden of the family.

• Unable to cope with love, relationship, or break up.

• Inability to meet the expectation of a job, marks, family expectations, or college.

• A mentally harassed person may tend to end their life.

• Prolonged depression can also be the reason for suicide.

• Self-disappointments and failures in life to achieve desired goals.

• People who are suffering from chronic pain.

• Getting bullied by friends or batchmates.

• Loss or rejection in personal or professional life.

• Exposure to violence.

• Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others.

• A feeling of being a burden to others.

• Experiencing increased social isolation and emptiness in life.

• Difficulty in accepting sexual orientation.

• Legal problems.

• Death of loved ones.

• Certain cultural and religious beliefs.

• Family violence includes sexual and physical abuse.

How to Protect One From Suicidal Thoughts?

The ways to protect against suicidal thoughts can be achieved by adopting the following methods mentioned below:

• Self-care is essential, and the person should share their self-thoughts with others that might elevate a good mood and a happy mind.

• The person should maintain a diary with updated details of each day in case they want to share their secrets.

• Following new hobbies and indulging in social activities will keep the minds busy.

• The affected person should engage in small get-togethers, hobby classes, and playing games with friends and family.

• People should create a positive mindset that will help them lead a happy and cheerful life.

• Small talks with other people can lead to tiny steps in preventing loneliness.

• Meditation can help focus and develop the confidence to indulge in social activities and keep the mind stress free.

• People should avoid the consumption of drugs and alcohol when depressed.

• Medical therapy and psychiatric help can protect from suicidal thoughts.

What Are the Recommended Public Health Interventions to Prevent Suicide?

The recommended public health interventions to prevent suicide are:

• The presence of psychiatrists in remote and rural areas ensures reduced suicide rates.

• Suicide prevention acts and programs through social media platforms like news channels, magazines, television, and the internet.

• Patient counselling, primary healthcare services, and several medications can strengthen mental health.

• School authorities should take the initiative to educate the students on the negative impacts of suicidal thoughts in life because the suicide rate in teenagers is more as compared to older adults.

• Early identification, assessment, and treatment for the person at risk of suicidal behavior can prevent suicide.

• Various support groups are made to guide people and avoid the chances of suicide.

• By promoting meditation and yoga session programs, suicidal attempts can be reduced.

• Safety planning has shown reduced suicidal thoughts and actions. For example, the government should provide limited access to deadly poison, pills, and firearms.

• The government runs many NGOs (non-governmental organizations) that spread social awareness about suicide and its disadvantages.

• Helpline services like suicide call-back services are also available that involve 24-hour free telephone services for counseling people affected by suicidal thoughts.

• Education on mental health and various campaigns, rehabilitaion centers to help people come out from depression.

• Policies are implemented to limit the use of harmful alcohol as it can be used for substance abuse.

• The government often bans pictures, posters, and advertisements that harm the sentiment of a person or community.

• Screening is done for individuals who come to the emergency department with injuries from self-harm. Psychometric tests such as the geriatric depression scale or Beck depression inventory are used to measure depression to detect the possibility of suicide.

Conclusion:

Suicide is just a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Nowadays, many people do suicide because of stress, violence, abuse, and ignorance. People tend to kill themselves, thinking they are ending the pain but passing it on to those they leave behind. Therefore, a never-give-up attitude is very important for human survival. People should adopt preventive measures to protect them from suicidal thoughts. Suicide is preventable by being alert to the surroundings and helping others know their lives' importance and meaning.

Safety planning, involvement of family, evidence-based treatment, therapeutic relationship, and communicated plans are important to focus on individual risk reduction in patients for committing suicide.