This Is How You Can Help Prevent Suicide- City Psychiatrists Appeal

 

According to recent data from the WHO (World Health Organisation), approximately eight lakh people kill themselves annually, which is one person every 40 seconds.

This is apart from the huge number of cases of attempted suicide. It is incidentally also, the second leading cause of death in the 15-29 age group. 

What can we do to prevent suicide? Are they warning signs that people need to be made aware off ?

Pune365 decided to ask these questions to senior mental health experts and informed citizens in an attempt to build public awareness on suicide prevention.

Dr Anjendra Targe, City based Psychiatrist opines, “Suicide is a serious but complex issue. Many a time, there aren’t warning signs, or they go unnoticed.

Suicidal thoughts are generally associated with mental health problems like clinical depression. Some of the symptoms associated include, the person showing signs of social withdrawal, remaining aloof, lack of interest in previously pleasurable activities and sudden personality changes.

Changes and events like moving from a city, changing a school, disruptions in families like divorce, etc can especially trigger depressive episodes and consequently suicide.

Apart from understanding and listening to the person’s cry for help, professional help (consulting a psychiatrist/therapist) must be sought without any delay.

Suicidal thoughts in itself is a symptom that is commonly associated with Depression, Severe Anxiety, OCD, Psychosis, and Substance Abuse.

There are no specific stages. The moment one starts experiencing any suicidal thoughts, they must seek help.

Suicide in most cases is the culmination of the suffering, or the end point of the things a person is going through.

For us to try and prevent it, awareness must start at the most basic level, which is talking about and creating awareness about mental health and mental illness.

Every stakeholder in the society, from the general population to teachers, parents, politicians, celebrities, sportspersons, and others who have influence should contribute towards eradicating the stigma attached to psychiatric issues.

This will result in more and more people seeking timely help without any shame, fear or embarrassment, leading to prevention of suicides to a great extent.

SYMPTOMS: Social withdrawal. staying alone Changes in personality or appearance Disinterested in activities which were enjoyed earlier Dangerous or self-harmful behaviour Sleeplessness, insomnia

ACT: Understand their behavioural change Ask them and talk about the concerns Be supportive irrespective of the decision, advise them after empathising their decision. Make them feel secure Avoid Leaving them alone Help them connect to a mental health professional Monitor and follow up.

 

Cases of suicide are on a constant rise more with the youths as opposed to other age groups.

Almost every day, I come across cases of people who have reached a level where they no longer want to be a part of the society, says Dr Manish Bajpayee, Psychiatrist.

Suicidal thoughts are often linked with a mental disorder and can be treated well. People feel suicidal because they feel nothing else will work out and their death will solve the problem.

These are several ways we can help. I would recommend people to notice any behavioural change and talk to them about it. Don’t judge them, be supportive irrespective of the decision, advise them after empathising with their decision.

Reassure the person that he or she is not alone and avoid leaving the person alone. Make them realise the worth of life, keep them positive always.

There are a number of helplines in India who are working and offering great support to emotionally distressed people in an attempt to prevent suicide.

Pratiksha Delvi, Software professional and a mother says, Being a working woman it is often difficult to spend time with our kids. We often ignore their behavioural changes by blaming it on their hormones which should be avoided.

“My elder one is college-going and she is often busy in her own world. However, I ensure that we have a good conversation at least once a day. Be it about her boyfriend or her facebook friend.

It is essential to talk to them about each and every thing, yet, don’t bother them by being judgemental or angry about anything.

Advise them on what is good and bad, but let them decide what they want,” Pratiksha added.

Amit Mishra, Photographer, Recalling an incident he says, Anu was my best friend and we have known each other since childhood.

Having been a victim of a sexual assault by her brother, she developed anxiety and often stayed aloof and alone. Initially, I thought it was normal mood swings, until the day I found a blade in her hand.

However, after consulting a psychiatrist she is absolutely normal now. I believe that the stigma with mental health should be overcome. People should be able to talk about everything freely and enjoy total freedom of expression in their lives.

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#The views expressed in this article are those of the individual respondents and Pune365 does not necessarily subscribe to them. Remedial advise given here is only for reader awareness and readers are ad