Suicide
Tulongeni Kalimba- Oct 1, 2021
- 0 min read
By Tulongeni Kalimba
Suicide means ending your own life. The 10th of September was world suicide prevention day and the whole month of September is a suicide prevention month. Suicide is death that happens when someone harms themselves because they want to end their life. This is way for people to escape pain or suffering. Studies have shown that each year approximately 1 million people die from suicide. That equals to out to 1 death every 40 seconds. Worldwide, suicide rates have increased by 60% over the last 45 years.
Mental health disorders, depression, and substance abuse in particular are associated with more than 90% of all cases of suicide. Nonetheless youth suicide is increasing at the greatest rate.
Most people make the decision to attempt suicide shortly before doing so impulsively rather than planning it out extensively. While there are many factors that can influence a persons decision to commit suicide, the most common one is severe depression. Depression can make people feel great emotional pain and loss of hope, making them unable to see another way to relieve the pain other than ending their own life.
Other mental illnesses that can increase the risk of suicide includes
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Eating disorders
- Schizophrenia
A lot of young people a battling with bullying from their peers, parents and the society. It starts from breaking someones self esteem and then they lose interest in life. Cyber bullying and social media shame can also be a cause of suicide because after the traumatic experience of being exposed, the victim would not want to be seen by anyone anymore.
Suicide warning signs or suicidal thoughts include;
- talking about suicide- for example making statements such as “i am going to kill myself”
- getting the means to take your own life, such as buying a gun or stockpiling pills,
- withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone
- Having mood swings (being emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next
- Being preoccupied with death, dying or violence
- Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation
- Increase in use of alcohol or drugs
- Saying goodbye to people as if they wont be seen again
If you are feeling suicidal, but you are not immediately thinking of hurting yourself;
- Reach out to a close friend or loved one
- Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone in your faith community
- Call a suicide hotline
- Make an appointment with your doctor, other health care provider or a mental health professional.
