Suicide Awareness

Suicide is one of those topics that many people are afraid to talk about. Because of this, it is also one of the most misunderstood realities in our society. For many whose families suffered the trauma of having a relative commit suicide, it is taboo to even talk about this in public. People are afraid that this might run in families and such an event can stigmatize the family of the one who committed suicide.

All of us have heard of stories of the heartbroken seeing no other option but to end their lives. This is all too familiar in literature and in popular tele-novelas that appeal to broad audiences across race, class and gender.

Whenever suicide is discussed, the trigger event is often mentioned as the main cause and culprit of the act. In fact, research has shown that suicide is caused by multiple factors. It is an act that cannot be taken out of the context of a person’s life, as many personal experiences may actually influence one’s act of ending one’s life.

Mental illness figures prominently among those who commit suicide. Many suffer from different psychological conditions when they plan or execute their own death. Some of these people may actually suffer from a distorted sense of reality that they harm themselves as a way of living the reality that only exists in their own minds. For example, a person who thinks that they he has super human powers can jump off a high building thinking that they can fly. Instead of flying, however, he falls and dies. Some others might be feeling so sad that they simply want to end their suffering by killing themselves.

Apart from those who are mentally ill, whether diagnosed or not, there are certain groups of people who are known to be of higher risk of completing suicide. For one, there are generally more men who complete acts of suicide than women. And there is a higher risk for homosexuals than their heterosexual counterparts. Those who have witnessed suicide of a friend or loved one are also at higher risk. Those who suffer from painful, life-threatening illnesses are also at risk.  

For many, suicide is an act of hopelessness. Those who decide to end their lives do so because they are in emotional pain and can no longer see any future for themselves. It is a way out of their misery and their suffering.

Apart from all the examples I have given so far, there are also those who harm themselves with little intention to really end their lives. These people may typically ingest some chemicals (e.g., over-the-counter drugs like paracetamol, muriatic acid, detergent, etc.) that will do more harm to their bodies than actually put an end to their lives. These are really acts that are nonlethal, which are more cries for help and attention. They want to get the help that they need and do not know how to do so appropriately.

If you suspect someone you know to be in any risk for self-harm or suicide, you can ask the following questions simply and directly:

•  Are you thinking of hurting yourself or even ending your life?  
• When was the last time these thoughts came to your mind? How strong are these thoughts?
•  Have you made any plans as to how you are going to do it? If so, do you have the means of carrying out your plan (e.g., have access to a gun, buying the lethal chemicals to ingest, having the rope to be used to hang oneself, etc.)?

An affirmative answer to even one of these questions means that that person is likely to be at some risk for committing suicide. In such cases, you can do the following:

•  Do not leave that person on his/her own. If you cannot be with that person for a long period of time, make sure you endorse him or her to someone who can.  
• Inform as many people as you can about the risk of this person, including friends and family members, and get as much support as you can for both yourself and the person at risk.  
• Make a referral to a hospital that can keep watch round the clock. At night, the person can be brought to the emergency room of any hospital.  
• Take care of yourself and do not make yourself solely responsible for the wellbeing of this person.  
• Refer the person to a psychiatrist and psychologist as soon as possible.