SUICIDE
Suicide means ending your own life. It is sometimes how people to flee pain or suffering. When someone ends their own life, we say that they “died by suicide.” A “suicide attempt” means that someone tried to end their life, but did not die.
SUICIDE IS CONTAGIOUS
To explore the consequences suicide can wear friends and family, researchers checked out 3,432 university staff members and students ages 18-40. Each participant had experienced an overtime of a beloved thanks to either suicide or natural causes.
The results showed a transparent correlation between the suicide of a lover or loved one and negative outcomes for the survivor. Participants whose loved ones had died by suicide were 80% more likely to quit school or work, with a total of 8% dropping out or resigning.
Participants whose loved ones died from suicide were 65% more likely to attempt suicide themselves than if the loved one had died due to other causes. Overall, the risk of suicide when a loved one had died by suicide was 1 in 10. People whose loved ones had died by suicide felt there was more stigma surrounding the death, potentially making it more difficult to cope with their grief.
This is not the first study to find a contagion effect with suicide. Suicide deaths of celebrities can increase the general suicide rate, consistent with a Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health study that found a 12% spike in suicides following the apparent suicide of Marilyn Monroe. A 1998 study of suicide rates in Vienna suggested changing the way the media reports on suicide could also lower the suicide rate.
UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE
Suicide is preventable, and many of the factors that lead to it—such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or relationship difficulties—can be responsive to therapy.
WHAT ARE WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE?
Some people talk openly about thoughts of suicide, but many of us keep their feelings secret.
There are warning signs to point out that somebody needs help. You often see many warning signs happening at an equivalent time. Here are some warning signs:
• The person talks about wanting to kill themselves.
• The person uses more drugs or alcohol than usual.
• The person says they have no reason to live.
• The person seems very scared or worried.
• The person says that they feel like there is no way out of a situation.
• The person cannot see hope for the future.
• The person does not want to spend time with others.
• The person has a hard time controlling their anger.
• The person does things that may be dangerous and does not think about what might happen.
• The person’s mood changes in a big way.
HOW CAN WE PROTECT SOMEONE FROM SUICIDE?
No one can say that they will never have thoughts of suicide. You can do two big things to assist prevent suicide. The first is to build connections with other people. The second is to find help for mental health problems.
1. Build connections with other people
2. Spend time with family and friends.
3. Go to cultural or religious events.
4. Get involved in your community. For example, sign up for classes at your community centre or college.
5. Help others. For example, help a charity or other group.
6. Get help early for mental health problems
“Suicide doesn’t deduct the pain; it gives it to someone else”.