What is Suicide? The various Myths & Facts.
Suicide is “the act of deliberately killing oneself”. It is not only a mental health issue but also a social problem that affects many people around the world. In this article, we will show you how your brain can affect your mood and thoughts. We will discuss different types of suicidal thinking and how they differ from each other. They are classified into two categories: impulsive suicides (those committed without prior planning) and planned suicides (those carried out after careful consideration). Impulsivity is thought to play a role in both types of suicide.
There are four major risk factors associated with self-destruction: psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, interpersonal problems, and access to lethal means.
Myth 1: Suicide is a sin
Fact: self-destruction is not a sin. No scripture says suicide is wrong. Suicide is a right of self-defense. A person who commits suicide has been driven to desperation and has lost hope.
Myth 2: Suicide is selfish
Fact: Suicide is a form of altruism. self-destruction is a way out of pain and suffering. If someone is in unbearable pain, they can end their life instead of enduring the agony.
Myth 3: Suicide is cowardly
Fact: Suicide is courageous. To commit suicide shows great courage. People who commit self-destruction have faced death many times before and know what awaits them. They do not fear death but rather face it head-on.
How common is suicide and Why does it occur?
The World Health Organization says that 800,000 people die from suicide each year. However, this number may not reflect the true incidence of suicide since many countries do not report data on suicide deaths. In addition, some studies have suggested that the actual figure could be as high as 10 times higher than these reported figures. There are several reasons why people commit suicide. Some people who attempt self-destruction suffer from mental disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. Others may feel trapped in a situation that they cannot escape. Still, others may want to end their lives out of guilt or shame.
Suicidal Brain Vs Normal Brain: Understanding both
- The suicidal brain has a higher concentration of serotonin than the normal brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate moods, emotions, sleep patterns, appetite, sexual drive, pain sensitivity, muscle tone, blood pressure, body temperature, and circadian rhythms. In other words, it affects everything that makes us human.
- The normal brain has a lower concentration of serotonin than the suicidal brain. This means that the normal brain is less sensitive to serotonin than the suicidal brain, making it easier to control our impulses and actions.
The various Methods: It is estimated that around 20% of global suicides are due to pesticide self-poisoning, most of which occur in rural agricultural areas in low- and middle-income countries. Other common methods of suicide are hanging and firearms.
Suffocation, Hanging, Poisoning, Pesticide, Drug overdose, Carbon monoxide, Shooting, Jumping, Cutting and stabbing, Drowning, Starvation and dehydration, Collision with or of a vehicle, Electrocution, Fire, Animal attacks, and Volcano jumping. These are some of the methods of suicide.
Challenges and obstacles people face in suicide?
Suicide is not common among young adults. However, if someone does attempt suicide, they are likely to have suicidal thoughts at some point in their life. People who are depressed often feel hopeless about their situation. They may believe that no one cares about them or that things cannot get better. This feeling can lead to feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness. A person’s family members and friends may notice changes in his/her behavior before he/she attempts suicide. These changes could include:
- Changes in mood
- Loss of interest in activities
- Lack of energy
Who all are at risk of suicide?
Many suicides happen when someone is feeling overwhelmed and hopeless and impulsively decides to end their life. Often, these people have mental disorders, such as depression or alcoholism. But even people without mental disorders can have moments where they feel they can’t cope with life’s stresses, and they might attempt suicide.
People who have lost their jobs, and are facing financial problems. Those who have been diagnosed with mental illness or those who are addicted to drugs. Also, people who are suffering from physical illnesses or have relationship/family issues. They all are at risk of suicide.
Duration of Suicidal Crises:
The duration of suicidal crises varies from person to person. Some people experience them for only a few hours while others can go through multiple episodes over several days. In some cases, they may even last weeks, months, or years. Many reasons lead someone to commit suicide. These include mental health issues, abuse, trauma, substance use disorders, and other factors.
What does “suicide contagion” mean?
Suicide contagion refers to the spread of suicide through social networks. Suicide contagion can occur in two ways. First, people who are suicidal may attempt to copy others’ behaviors. This could include copying their method (e.g., overdose), timing (e.g., same day), place (e.g., home), or manner (e.g., gun). Second, people who have survived suicide attempts may become depressed and feel hopeless about their future. They may then try to copy the behavior of those around them.
How to tell if you or someone you know is suicidal?
- They are constantly complaining about their life.
- They have no friends.
- They have lost interest in everything they used to enjoy doing.
- They have stopped caring what others think of them.
- They have become obsessed with death.
- They have started to talk about suicide frequently.
What is the WHO response to suicide?
The World Health Organization has released a statement regarding the recent spike in suicides across the United States. According to their report, the number of self-destruction has increased by nearly 20 percent since 2016. This increase is alarming considering that the U.S. population has not seen this much of an increase in suicide rates since 1999.
In the past, the WHO has been criticized for downplaying the importance of mental health issues. However, they are now taking action to help prevent these deaths. They have created a website where people can get access to free resources and information about how to deal with suicidal thoughts.
Things Parents Can Do to Help Prevent Suicide
- Be Aware of Warning Signs: The first step in preventing suicide is being aware of warning signs. These include things like talking about wanting to die, withdrawing from friends and family, feeling hopeless or trapped, having thoughts about harming yourself, and making plans for self-harm. If your child exhibits any of these behaviors, they should immediately seek help from a trusted adult.
- Get Help Early: If you notice that your child has been exhibiting suicidal behavior, don’t wait until he/she attempts suicide before seeking professional help. This can lead to a delay in treatment and may make the situation worse.
- Seek Professional Help: Seek help from a mental health professional if your child shows signs of depression or anxiety. They are trained to assess the severity of symptoms and provide appropriate care.
- Be Aware of Your Child’s Emotions: Parents should know their children’s emotions well enough to recognize them and respond appropriately. If your child shows any signs of depression, anxiety, anger, or other emotional issues, talk to him/her about what he/she is feeling. This may help prevent suicide.
- Keep Track of Their Activities: If your child seems to be spending too much time alone at home, ask yourself if this could be related to his/her mood. If you notice that your child has been acting differently than usual, take note of these changes and speak to him/her about how they are affecting him/her.
- Talk About Mental Health Issues: It can be difficult to discuss mental health issues with your child, but talking about them can help prevent suicide. Discussing mental health issues with your kids can help them feel better about themselves and learn coping skills.
India has one of the highest rates of self-destruction in the world. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, India accounts for over 1/5th of all suicides worldwide. There are many reasons that people commit suicide, but a lack of knowledge about mental health issues is often a contributing factor. Many people who attempt suicide have been through some form of trauma, whether it be physical, emotional, or psychological. If someone is experiencing these types of traumas, they may feel like their life is not worth living anymore. This feeling of hopelessness can lead them to take drastic measures to end their own lives.
The Social Justice and Empowerment Minister has launched a 24×7 toll-free mental health rehabilitation helpline called ‘KIRAN’ (1800-599-0019). This helpline has been set up to help people who may be experiencing mental health issues due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
