SUICIDE information leaflet
“Not all persons who commit suicide want to die and not all persons who want to die commit suicide” sources Truism in suicide literature.
SUICIDESuicide is a very important topics now a days and barely a day passes by without hearing news of people committing suicide in print or in media. Suicide has become so common now and it is the most common cause of death in youngsters. Suicide leads to more social-financial problems to these families whose loved ones have committed suicide. It is more so in the family, whose breadwinner commit suicide. Sometimes we may never know the reason behind why people commit suicide. I hereby would like to discuss about the suicide and our understanding regarding suicide.
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Before we understand further let us know what the recent statistics say about suicide in India.
· In India 2016, 2,30,314 lost their lives to suicide · Most common cause of death in age group 15-39 was suicide. · Most common reason for suicide in 2016, was noted as family issues and deteriorating health. · Most common mental health issues noted was Depression. · All 4 southern states have one of the highest rate of suicide in India. · After Chennai, Bangalore ranks 2nd as the leading cities to have the worst suicide rate. Even though after gathering these data, it is still a customary to hide or avoid the mental health issue if present due to stigma attached. There is also difficult to know for sure how many of them had mental health issues as the data gathered are given by their close family members and not the dead. However we can extrapolate the data based on people who attempt suicide but still this is not very accurate as you will know later. Some of the state like Bihar and Utter Pradesh has a very low suicide rate probably because of lack of reporting and poor data collection. |
“For every suicide there are around 20 suicidal attempts”
What is suicide attempt?
It’s a failed suicide or who could not complete the suicide.
What is self-harm?
It’s an intentional self-inflicted harm with little or no intention to commit suicide. However sometimes accidently this can convert into complete suicide.
Whys suicide is so important?
Suicide tells about the mental health of that nation. It also tells about the coping mechanism in that nation or how well they are. It’s obvious more the number of suicide in that population then more the country in worries or we can say less happy people there are. There are many reason why people attempt suicide and some of them which are very common are listed below,
1) They might be Depressed: Depression is one of the most common reason for suicide. People suffering from depression have very low mood and constant feeling of unhappy. They also may have negative thoughts which are cyclical and no amount of reasoning and reassurance would pacify them. They constantly view the world in negative and have no interest in any activity. They may become more irritable and constantly in fights. They frequently express their wishes to die and may have attempted it before. They are majorly at risk of attempting suicide again. They might have lack of sleep and may also have weight loss and some may gain weight due to excessive eating.
2) They are impulsive: these are one of the leading cause of attempted suicide in India. Impulsivity here is a sudden not thought after action of committing suicide. The person may be very impulsive in attitude and are harm avoiders. They find it hard to take criticism and egoistic in attitude. When there are certain situations which are against their values, ethics and attitudes they find this very hard to digest and may attempt it in rage. These people usually regret their act later and may not attempt it again.
There are certain groups of people who also attempt impulsively and these suffers from personality disorders or traits. These people may attempt it multiple times as a threat or teach a lesson to others. These individuals sometimes accidently they might complete the suicide and these are accidental and not intentional.
3) Substance Abuse: People who are dependent on substance are more likely to commit suicide in their lifetime. People who abuse alcohol during their intoxicated state may attempt due to disinhibition produced by the substance. They are more likely to be impulsive and regret or feel ashamed later when they are much sober. Alcohol like substance are considered to be depressants and lower their mood state leading to their attempt. Other substance also leads depression when they are heavily dependent on it and hence risk of suicide.
4) Difficult problems: Some people when they are in a deep trouble or when they see a problem which are insolvable or may be suffering from some sever illness like cancer may see suicide as the only way out of overcoming their problems. Even though for an outsider it may look impulsive but there may be deep thinking involved in their action. These person usually complete the suicide however who escape the death are still prone for another attempt and needs to be fully assessed and treated. But majority of them resist any form of intervention as they might not see an form of therapy or treatment as delaying the inevitable and feel it to be as useless.
5) Psychosis: In western countries psychosis is one of the reason for committing suicide and may be so in India. But there is lack of data in Indian context and difficult to verify as we do not have mental health database and also the person who suffers may not be aware of this due to lack of stigma. Psychological autopsy are also rarely done or never.
6) Financial Distress: these are one of the factors noted to have led the person to commit suicide. Farmers suicide has been highlighted as the suicide due to farm distress in print media or Television. However it is noteworthy to note there are more suicide in urban area due to financial distress than in rural area. There may be protective factors for being in village than in urban set up for less suicide rate among farmers and also it may be due to lack of reporting in village as suicide, due to stigma attached to it.
What is suicide behaviour?
These are subtle behaviour you may notice in person who are contemplating suicide. These signs and symptoms are important as it may help you to look for these signs whom you may suspect of committing suicide.
These are some signs which you may notice in person who are wanting to commit suicide
1) They may be calling near and dear ones and would also try to finish the unfinished business before their act.
2) They seem to be calm and composed which you might think of as great improvement from his previous depression or irritable personality.
3) They also might seek doctors help prior to this act. It s been noted in western countries more than half of who commit suicide would have visited their doctor within a week before their act.
4) They might start drinking just to forget their pain and to help them in their act.
5) They might lose interest in routine activity may sometimes appear dishevelled.
6) They might talk more about death and may also have expressed wishes to commit suicide.
7) They might be severely depressed and would be trying to be alone.
8) Some would have attempted suicide in the past.
How can you help?
The foremost important thing to do is to “ talk” to that person who you believe may be on the verge of committing suicide. Do not confront them but engage with them in a healthy conversation and make them aware that you care them.
Also raise your concern if you suspect one and be transparent and open with the person like “ I have noticed you are unusual these days” and if you find him depressed be open in expressing saying “ I am suspicious you may commit suicide” and this dialogue itself would many a times helps them as they might feel someone is listening and caring them.
Many a times just by talking even varied topics not even related to their mood or topics of interest might kindle some interest and listening to them patiently helps in reducing the burden of suicide.
So the most important in reducing the suicidal thoughts and behaviour is Listen , talk and be patient.
If the above fails then it is time to take the help from a professional
· Visit a psychiatrist near you who may decide and diagnose the condition the person is suffering and may advice medications or psychotherapy depending upon the condition or both.
· Make sure the person who is suffering takes medication regularly
· Also make sure they are regular in taking appointments and psychotherapy sessions.
· Initially it is advisable to watch the person, may be 24* 7 till its required, due to the risk they pose.
If all these methods fail then it is advisable to get admitted in the Psychiatric unit or in general hospital with psychiatric care as it may require additional treatment and risk reduction methods.
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How can you help?
The foremost important thing to do is to “ talk” to that person who you believe may be on the verge of committing suicide. Do not confront them but engage with them in a healthy conversation and make them aware that you care them. Also raise your concern if you suspect one and be transparent and open with the person like “ I have noticed you are unusual these days” and if you find him depressed be open in expressing saying “ I am suspicious you may commit suicide” and this dialogue itself would many a times helps them as they might feel someone is listening and caring them. Many a times just by talking even varied topics not even related to their mood or topics of interest might kindle some interest and listening to them patiently helps in reducing the burden of suicide. So the most important in reducing the suicidal thoughts and behaviour is Listen , talk and becoming patient with them. |
if these measures fail then what?
please consider the following · Visit a psychiatrist near you who may decide and diagnose the condition the person is suffering and may advice medications or psychotherapy depending upon the condition or both. · Make sure the person who is suffering takes medication regularly · Also make sure they are regular in taking appointments and psychotherapy sessions. · Initially it is advisable to watch the person, may be 24* 7 till its required, due to the risk they pose. If all these methods fail then it is advisable to get admitted in the Psychiatric unit or in general hospital with psychiatric care as it may require additional treatment and risk reduction methods. |
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