- Trigger Warning: This blog contains discussions about suicide and self-harm, which may be distressing for some readers. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help. Here are a few helplines for immediate support and assistance. You are not alone.
- Global Suicide Prevention Hotlines can be found at https://findahelpline.com/
- Tele-Manas: 1800-891-4416 or 14416
- Helplines for India
- Sneha: +91 44 2464 0050
- Tele-Manas: 1800-891-4416 or 14416
By Jayanti Khatana, Second year Masters of Psychology Student, Intern at My Mental Health School
Reviewed by Anushree Dirangane, Sr Psychologist, My Mental Health School
Suicide is a complex public health issue that affects individuals, families, and communities worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 726,000 people die by suicide every year, making it one of the leading causes of death globally. The American Psychological Association (APA) emphasizes that suicide is not a single cause-and-effect phenomenon but rather the result of multiple intersecting factors, including biological, psychological, social, and environmental influences. It’s a systemic issue.
Understanding the complexities of suicide is challenging due to its multifaceted nature.
- UNICEF reports that among adolescents, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death globally, highlighting the need for age-specific prevention strategies.
- According to a report by Population Research Centre, more than 1 lakh lives are lost every year in India, putting suicide as the third leading cause of death in the country.
- The American Psychological Association (APA) reported in 2022 that globally, men died by suicide 3.85 times higher than women. In India, the ratio of men to women suicide is 72:27.
These statistics underscore the importance of addressing suicide as a serious public health concern that requires comprehensive understanding and evidence-based interventions.
Despite efforts made to increase awareness about suicide, it remains a misunderstood concept. Since it’s uncomfortable, most of us avoid discussing it, looking at it, or even understanding it, leading to misconstrued ideas.
But why is it important to address these misconceptions? Addressing misconceptions about suicide can reduce stigma and encourage support for those who are struggling.
So, let’s understand what suicide is and what it’s not.
Understanding Suicide As A Systemic Issue
Suicide is a systemic issue rather than solely an individual one. It reflects broader societal problems, including inadequate mental health care, social inequalities, and cultural stigmas. Experts suggest that addressing suicide requires looking beyond individual risk factors to examine failures at the system level, such as lack of access to mental health services, economic disparities, and social isolation.
Medical Care emphasizes that effective suicide prevention strategies must address these systemic issues. This includes improving mental health care accessibility, reducing economic stress, combating social isolation, and creating supportive environments in schools and workplaces. By viewing suicide as a systemic problem, we can develop more comprehensive and effective prevention strategies that address root causes rather than just individual symptoms.
Misconceptions About Suicide
There are a few things that most of us have got wrong about suicide. For instance, it’s an individual problem, which is not true. So, let’s look into some of the most common misconceptions about suicide:
Talking About Suicide Can Encourage The Act
Contrary to the belief, talking about suicide can promote open dialogue and help people at risk find support or share their worries. However, one must be mindful of many things and learn how to talk to someone at risk (to learn more, you can check our blog, How To and What To).
Individuals Who Appear Stable Are Not At Risk
It’s a common misconception that people who don’t have a mental health disorder or have their act together are not at risk. It often leaves people confused about why someone as happy and lively as them has ever resorted to this.
It may seem impulsive, but know that not all suicides are impulsive, and some are carefully planned. They may look impulsive and could be, but it’s not out of the blue. The overwhelm, helplessness, and self-harm thoughts/actions usually are part of the world way before suicide enters the picture.
The nature of suicidal behavior can vary significantly across different populations. For instance, research indicates that impulsivity in suicidal behavior may be more prevalent among adolescents compared to adults. However, it’s crucial to understand that each case is unique, and generalizations can be misleading. Risk factors and warning signs can be present regardless of a person’s outward appearance or perceived well-being. They might not always be so obvious, but there is definitely a build-up of lots of things that lead to suicide.
And this brings us to the next misconception
There Are No Warning Signs
Warning signs do exist. As suicide can sometimes seem unpredictable, it is important to understand that not everyone may present obvious warning signs. Though many individuals may exhibit signs – such as mood swings, disruptive sleep, withdrawal from others, or talking about wanting to die – these signs can vary greatly and might not always be visible to those around them.
It’s essential to remain attentive to any significant changes in behavior, emotions, and expressions of hopelessness, but equally important is to recognize that not every person contemplating suicide will show signs. This underscores the need for open conversations about mental health and regular check-ins with loved ones, even when nothing seems wrong on the surface.
It’s A Crime
It’s important to understand that people experiencing suicidal thoughts or attempts are not committing a crime. In many parts of the world, including India, suicide has been decriminalized to encourage individuals to seek help without fear of legal repercussions.
A person at risk is going through an overwhelming and painful time where they may see death as the only solution. Instead of responding with judgment or blame, offering support, compassion, and access to mental health resources can make a crucial difference in their recovery. It’s essential to respond with kindness and understanding, regardless of personal beliefs, to help them find the help they need.
Final Words
Dialogue around suicide requires deep empathy, patience, and understanding,. While each individual is responsible for their own decisions, your support and interventions can play a vital role in helping someone overcome the crisis and move towards a healthier, more hopeful future.
However, not addressing the above-mentioned misconceptions can impact someone struggling with self-harming or suicidal ideation. Knowing that it’s not a crime, signs may not always be obvious, and anyone might be at risk helps individuals stay empathetic and support their loved ones.
If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to a suicide prevention helpline (provided above). For more guidance on navigating these sensitive conversations, explore our blog posts How To & What To or consider enrolling in our Crisis Management Course, which provides essential emergency management tools.
Resources:
www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/myths-about-suicide/
www.suicideprevention.nv.gov/Youth/Myths/
www.csun.edu/~vmd53178/misconceptions.htm
www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide
www.bu.edu/sph/news/articles/2020/on-suicide-we-must-address-failures-at-a-system-level/
www.save.org/learn/warning-signs-of-suicide
www.apa.org/monitor/2023/01/trends-suicide-prevention-lifeline
www.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10522498/