{"id":65957,"date":"2021-09-10T16:25:54","date_gmt":"2021-09-10T14:25:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/paarlpost\/suicide-is-not-the-answer-20210910\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T21:03:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T19:03:21","slug":"suicide-is-not-the-answer-20210910","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/paarlpost\/suicide-is-not-the-answer-20210910\/","title":{"rendered":"Suicide is not the answer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today, Friday 10 September, is World Suicide Prevention Day and mental health services are available privately or through public health institutions to help reduce suicide risk. People with suicidal thoughts and their families do not have to suffer in silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Janine Roos, director of the Mental
\nHealth Information Centre at the Tygerberg Campus of Stellenbosch University,
\nit is important to encourage those who suffer in silence to get help if they
\nthink they are at risk of suicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The true incidence of suicide and suicidal behaviour
\nis unknown. Many suicides go unreported. The World Health Organization (WHO)
\nestimates a million people worldwide commit suicide every year. Males are more
\nlikely to complete suicide than females, but females are more likely to attempt
\nsuicide. Suicide is an attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable.
\nSome conditions are associated with a higher risk for suicide, e.g.,
\ndepression, alcohol and drug abuse and schizophrenia. Factors other than mental
\nillness like sociocultural or economic influences are also implicated in the
\naetiology of suicide. The emotional impact of suicide on family and friends can
\nlast for many years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, the first study on suicide during the
\nCOVID-19 pandemic found that the number of suicides decreased or remained
\nunchanged despite the profound mental health consequences of the pandemic for
\nmany people. The study was done in higher-income countries where governments
\nincreased mental health services to support communities and mitigate the
\neffects of lockdowns on mental health and suicide. The lack of reliable current
\nsuicide data from low- and middle-income countries makes it impossible to know
\nwhat is happening in these parts of the world. As restrictions are lifted and
\nwe adapt to a new way of living, we should be cautious to support those feeling
\nlonely and experiencing financial hardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prevention of suicide remains an important public
\nhealth priority. It is estimated that for every completed suicide there are
\napproximately 20 non-fatal suicide attempts. Most people who die of suicide
\nexhibit warning signs. The person may say or think things like \u2018I cannot think
\nclearly; cannot see a way out; feel hopeless and without any energy\u2019 and talk
\nabout death regularly. Studies have found that hopelessness is a strong
\npredictor of suicide. Research also shows that those between the ages of 15 and
\n29 years are most at risk for suicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warning signs in teenagers include drastic changes in
\neating and sleeping patterns, drug and alcohol abuse, rebellious or reckless
\nbehaviour, neglect of personal appearance, expressions of having no reason to
\nlive and withdrawal from friends and family. Suicide prevention starts with
\nrecognising these signs and taking them seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf someone close to you exhibits signs of suicide, be
\nproactive and do not leave them alone. Remove guns, medication or anything that
\nmay be of danger. Reach out to them and offer your help. Be compassionate,
\nnon-judgemental, and caring, and try to get the person to professional help
\n(general practitioner, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or school
\ncounsellor). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encourage, support, and create opportunities so that
\nthe person can talk to you. Listening and talking honestly and openly about
\nsuicidal thoughts can help save a life,\u201d Roos concluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Break the silence; seek help!<\/p>\n\n\n\n