Suicide is death by oneself. It is a situation where one takes his own life. This is caused by many factors as we shall see later. Whatever the cause, suicide is tragic, It leaves the family members or the relatives of the one who committed the act devastated.

Oftentimes, many suicide attempts are nor considered health-related problems. Many are not made to seek medical help and so are left alone which gives rise to trying again and eventual success of committing the act.

While this article is not looking into the broad topic of suicide and all there is to know about it, it mentions the causes of suicide and hammers on the prevention strategy of suicide. Yes, suicide can be prevented.

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Many countries have work in motion on preventing suicide already, however, more is needed by everyone to help prevent suicide.

“The burdens of suicide does not weigh solely on health sector, it has multiple impacts on many sectors and on the society as a whole” —Dr. Margaret Chan

MYTH ABOUT SUICIDE

One myth about suicide says that those who talk about suicide do not mean it. Is it true?

Well, do not quickly dismiss that those who attempt suicide do not mean it, instead know it that they are seeking help and support. They are reaching out to you. Many are hopeless, depressed and feel terrible about life that taking their lives prematurely seem a way out. Everyone must respond to statements which have suicide connotations.

Before we delve into prevention strategies, let us take a look at factors contributing to suicide.

RISK FACTORS OF SUICIDE

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Some factors responsible for suicide attempts, although not limited to the following are:

1. Sexual abuse
2. Communication problems
3. Stressful life events
4. Unemployment
5. Access to arms
6. Previous attempt
7. Chronic illness
8. Death of a loved one
9. Harm use of alcohol
10. Mental disorder

SEXUAL ABUSE

Many who have suffered sexual abuse especially in the hands of trusted relatives are prone to a suicide attempt. They may be so upset, disappointed and lose their self-worth. Taking their lives to them may seem a means to end it all.

COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS

People, especially young ones who are not living with their biological parents, who may be shut out of communication with their real parents, if they become ill-treated, frustrated and unhappy may stand a chance of attempting suicide.

STRESSFUL LIFE EVENTS

Many, out of stress and anxieties of life feel so depressed. Abandoned mothers for example who are finding it hard to meet up with the needs of the children may be at risk of committing suicide. They need love and support from everyone in the society.

UNEMPLOYMENT

With the economic hardship of most countries, most unemployed people find it very difficult to survive. Some after the rigors of searching for a job with no success and who may find it hard to meet the demands of the families are likely to commit suicide. A significant number of people contemplating suicide are the those who experience anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. They look at taking their lives as if there is no other option.

ACCESS TO ARMS

Possession of firearms by people is associated with shooting oneself at any given opportunity. Gun owners stand a chance of attempting suicide because come to think of it, the material they need is right there in a bedside cabinet.

PREVIOUS ATTEMPT OF SUICIDE

If you have seen anyone who attempted suicide before, know that the tendency is that he/she will try it again. Show care and support. Monitor closely and keep creating awareness against suicide.

CHRONIC ILLNESS/OLD AGE

Chronic illness such as HIV/AIDS can cause anxiety on the victim. Fear of isolation, stigmatization, and dissatisfaction about the news about their health status can make the victim consider suicide attempt. Old age is also a factor.

DEATH OF A LOVED ONE

Bereaved people e.g a mother who loses her only child after several years of childlessness, or losing one’s spouse in death might make the bereaved person attempt suicide.

HARMFUL USE OF ALCOHOL

Alcoholics are at high risk of committing suicide because most of their actions are borne out of the influence of alcohol. They may kill themselves without knowing it.

MENTAL DISORDER

This also is a factor. There should be proper assessment or management of substance use.

Do you know anyone will fall into the above category? What is expected of the society, the community, health sector, government, and individual? Let’s see.

INTERVENTIONS

What can the society, community or individuals do when is a case of a suicide attempt?

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1. The society should avoid inappropriate media reporting and make a responsible media reporting instead.
2. They should not stigmatize anyone seeking help.
3. In the community, there should not be discrimination rather there should be an intervention for vulnerable groups and there should be crisis helplines, follow-up and community support.
4. The health sector is not left out. There should not be a barrier to accessing health care, rather there should be a great access to health and they could help raise awareness about mental health, substance use disorder, and suicide.
5. There should be restrictions to access to arms. Possession of firearms, poisons and some medications can increase the risk of suicide.

SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE

To make suicide preventable, action needs to be taken by the society, community health sector and individuals.

Below is a list of preventives going on in curbing suicide. Regardless of whether some countries have formed a formidable force against suicide, the following are strategic actions mapped out by WHO to curb suicide.

1. Reduce access to means- If there is effort before to reduce access to means, it should be evaluated now, their result can be used to make improvement so that firearm owner does not take their lives at will.
2. Raise awareness- If there are no organized activities before to intimate the populace about suicide attempt, public awareness should be made and intensified, the result will be used to sensitize and improve people awareness in future campaigns
3. Health system involvement- Health workers should be trained to help.
4. Individual- Change your attitude and beliefs about suicide and do not stigmatize those needing support and help.
5. National suicide prevention strategy.- Ministry of health should not relax in developing a National strategy to curb suicide.

Thanks for reading

Compiled by @adoore-eu

REFERENCES

1. www.health.govt.nz
2. www.health.nsw.gov.au
3. WHO Library Cataloguing-in-publication Data. Prevent suicide: A global imperative ISBN978 92 4 156477 9 . (NLM classification: HV6545)

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