Suicide and Self-harm Action and Prevention

Call it financial meltdown, recession or by any other name. One inescapable
fact is that its taking a toll on human lives. Many young techies are
committing suicide. The last six months have been horrible and the frequency of
suicides is only escalating. The spate of suicides, or murdering the family and
then committing suicide is just increasing. The reasons seem to vary from the
inability to pay loans, to unemployment, to losing money in the stock market, to
business loss by entrepreneurs and the inability to face family and friends.
India already holds the world record for suicides and this has only worsened in
the past few months. As it is hard to monitor suicide by engineering students,
techies and business people, it is important to create awareness about it and
this is what this article aims to do.

A suicidal attempt is a cry for help that should never be ignored. It is a
warning that something is terribly wrong. Before we learn about spotting the
warning signs and what one can do about, it is important to know the myths that
surround suicide and self-harm. According to several psychologists and
counsellors, there are four major myths about suicide.

Myth#1 People who talk about suicide will not really do it: Almost everyone
who commits or attempts suicide gives some clue or warning. Do not ignore
suicide threats. Statements like I cant see any way out or Everyone will be
sorry when Im deadno matter how casually said, may indicate serious suicidal
feelings.

Myth#2 People who commit suicide are unwilling to seek help:Many studies of
suicide victims have shown that more than 50% sought medical help within six
month before their deaths.

Myth#3 People who try to commit suicide are crazy: Majority of those who
commit suicide are not insane. They are usually upset, grief-stricken, or
depressed. Extreme misery is always a sign of mental illness, not of psychosis.

Myth#4 People determined to commit suicide, cant be stopped: Even extremely
depressed people have mixed feelings about death. Most suicidal people dont
want to die, but want the pain to stop. The impulse to commit suicide, however
overpowering, doesnt last long. Therefore, they can be stopped if one
intervenes.

Myth#5 Talking about suicide may give someone the idea: You cant give a
suicidal person ideas by talking about suicide. In fact, the opposite is
truebringing up the subject of suicide and openly discussing it is very helpful
in preventing suicides.

Warning Signs

The Journal of the American Medical Association says that 90% of all
suicides occur during or after a depressive episode in an individuals life. If
this goes undetected, then it results in suicide. However, most people are
depressed these days. So how do we essentially know they are contemplating
suicide? Here are some warning signs to watch out for:

Thinking/talking about suicide: Those who are suicidal tend to be preoccupied
with death. Most people, especially techies, actually browse the Internet
looking for ways to die and this can include searches for pills, guns, ways to
die neatly, etc.

Purposelessness: Having no goal or losing all sense of belonging. Many talk
of being trapped or get angry for no reason.

Hopelessness: Losing all hope, optimism and claiming that there is nothing to
live for. This is exhibited by sudden withdrawal from family, friends, work,
activities or hobbies. They give away prized possessions suddenly. Many set
their affairs in order, and make surprise visits or calls to people they care
about.

Anxiety and Recklessness: This is characterised by a sudden spurt of high
risk-taking behavior and sleeplessness.

Mood Swings: Many seem to be suddenly happier or calmer.

If you spot one or more of the above signs, get the person to urgently visit
a doctor or mental health professional.

Minnie Dabney, a certified chronic care professional who has over thirteen
years of experience in the field says, Whenever people of any age start
withdrawing in any way, this is an automatic sign that there is something wrong.
This could be anything from removing family photos from their office, returning
books to the bookstore, completing something thats gone uncompleted forever,
and, especially if they start saying goodbye (I just wanted to thank you for
being such a good friend to me or Ill miss you, etc).

Know What to Do

So, if you see such signs in either yourself or a friend, what do you do?
Social stigma associated with mental illnesses prevents people from seeking
help. When someone has the method, mode and means of committing suicide, it
clearly shows the person is strongly leaning toward successful suicide. To stop
him/her from going ahead, do the following:

Listen and Question: Suicidal thoughts are common with depressive illnesses
and your willingness to talk about it in a non-judgmental, non-confrontational
way can make such people seek professional help. You want them to talk to you.
Listen to them, even if your ears are blue. Dont interrupt, other than to
encourage them to talk more. Then, you can start reaching out your handtouch
their hand if you feel it will be acceptable. Questions that are okay to ask
are: Do you ever feel so badly that you think about suicide?, Do you have a
plan to commit suicide or take your life and Have you thought about what
method you would use. Asking such questions will help you to determine if the
person is in immediate danger, and get help if needed. A suicidal person should
see a doctor or mental health professional immediately. Always take thoughts or
plans for suicide seriously.

Never keep a suicidal plan for suicide a secret: Do not worry about risking a
friendship if you truly feel a life is in danger. It is better to lose a
relationship by violating someones confidence than it is to go to the persons
funeral.

Never try to change their mind: Never, ever, tell them that what they are
feeling is temporary. This minimizes their feelings and confirms to them that it
is hopeless. Let them tell you their pain and understand what it is that is
propelling them to feel like their life is suddenly meaningless.

Offer help: Make sure you follow through. This is one instance where you must
be tenacious in your follow-up. Help find a doctor or a mental health
professional, participate in making the first phone call, or accompany the
person to the first appointment. If youre in a position to help, dont assume
that your persistence is meddling. Saving a life is more important.

Creating awareness and educating others about suicide is important. Look up
your telephone directory to spot the suicide hotline in your area. It only takes
seconds to end a life, but it takes years to create one.