Social awareness

Suicide is defined as the process involving one ending his/her own life. There are various types of suicide which can make it rather difficult to help define the term. Traditional suicide is referred to those individuals who plan or act upon self-destructive thoughts and feelings whilst under immense stress. Assisted suicide is another term where a physician may help a terminally ill person to die, avoiding an imminent, inevitable and potentially painful decline.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as a state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her own community (Organization, http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs220/en/, 2010).

The rate of suicide in the UK is continuing to fall where figures reached their lowest in 2007 for both men and women. Suicide rates in 2008 were slightly higher than those seen in 2007 where 5,706 suicides were recorded however in 2009 there was a slight decrease were 5,675 suicides were recorded in the UK (Statistics O. f., Suicide rates in the United Kingdom, 2011).

Although suicide rates are seen as rather low when compared to the early years such as the period between 1990- 2000, there is still a major concern in the number of suicides committed each year.

The prevalence of suicide in the UK is still rather high and remains a major concern due to the number of people going to hospital after having attempted suicide  

Possible risk factors for suicide:

A previous attempt at suicide

Possible exposure to suicidal behaviour of others (friends, family or media figures)

Family history of suicide

Family history of substance abuse

Substance abuse

Incarceration

Violence within the household (physical or sexual)

Family history of mental disorder

Depression or other mental disorders

When dealing with suicide many individuals who have lost a loved one sometimes wonder if they could have possibly prevented it or some individuals may even blame themselves for the main cause of suicide in others. Therefore this self blaming may lead to behavioural changes which could represent itself as a decrease in the person’s ability to express emotions. Those who experience grieving go through a series of emotions which could render them rather emotionally unstable, those who do experience these emotions sometimes become fixated upon the fact that they may be involved in the death in some manner thus feeling suicide may be the only option to make up for what they believe is all their fault.

Mental illness has shown to play a crucial role and is possibly the main precipitating factor in preventing suicides. Research studies (stated earlier) have shown to form a relationship between suicide rates and mental disorders which leads to suggest that if the appropriate help and support is provided to those with mental illnesses then possible there could be a decline or prevention in the number of suicides seen each year.

Depression is the leading cause of suicide in people with mental health problems thus people in this mind of frame are usually of low mood and may occasionally have thoughts of suicide.

Therefore if we treat the mental disorder then it can stand to reason that thoughts of suicide may also disappear.

Preventing suicide isn’t simple and people who do experience episodes of depression or reoccurring thoughts of suicide should be dealt with efficiently and as soon as possible to prevent harm to them but also to others. It is important to emphasise that people are reminded that help is always available wherever and whenever they need it and many health care professional such as GPs or Pharmacists are there at their disposal.

Avoid depressants such as alcohol or illegal drugs which may feel beneficial at first but long term effects can cause depression and sometimes anxiety, furthermore you may make decisions that you normally would regard as dangerous/pointless.

Socialising to stay connected to the world can help prevent feelings of entrapment, also talking to people about any feelings you may be experiencing can help and spending time with friends to fight against loneliness.

Focusing on positive things in your life rather than regretting what could or should have been.

Go to support/self-help groups and share similar experiences with people in the same situation as yourself and see how they manage their day.

Comparing the likelihood of who is more likely to develop mental health problems, it was reported that women receive more treatment for mental health problems than men, however studies determined this was mainly due to women being more likely to report their symptoms rather than suffer in silence which many men tend do.

Suicide awareness is a proactive effort to raise awareness around suicidal behaviors. It is focused on reducing social stigmas and ambiguity, by bringing attention to suicide statistically and sociologically, and encouraging positive dialogue and engagement as a means to prevent suicide. Suicide awareness is linked to suicide prevention as both address suicide education and the dissemination of information to ultimately decrease the rate of suicide. Awareness is a first stage that can ease the need for prevention. Awareness signifies a fundamental consciousness of the threat, while prevention focuses on stopping the act.Suicide awareness is not a medical engagement, but a combination of medical, social, emotional and financial counseling. Suicide awareness in adolescents focuses on the age group between 10–24 years, beginning with the onset of puberty.

Awareness

The stigma attached to suicide has lessened in recent years thanks to more people and families who have dealt with suicide starting to speaking out. Don’t be afraid to ask someone directly if they’re considering ending their own lives. Being conscious and aware that someone is a suicide risk is the first step to helping them to get the assistance they need before it is too late. Military veterans have some of the highest suicide rates of any group in the country, and as a result, there are organizations that have come forward to help people become more aware about the consequences and dangers associated with suicide. Mental health organizations are also stepping forward to reach out to parents, teens, and adults about suicide so they can get the help they need. There are also suicide awareness groups that help teach others about how to reach out to their loved ones if they are concerned.

Prevention

While not all suicides can be prevented, if you know someone who may be suicidal, there are some things you can do to help. First, let the person know you’re concerned and assure them that you are there for them in their time of need. Offer a listening ear, and listen without being judgmental. If a situation has escalated to the point where the person has a gun in their hand or is otherwise threatening to kill themselves right away, you should call 911 to get immediate assistance and help prevent the suicide from occurring. For less-urgent cases, just being there and asking the person if they’ve considered getting help is a good start. There are suicide hotlines available that you can call for help and advice, and you should help make sure that the suicidal person can be seen by a mental health professional as soon as possible so they can start to recover from the feelings they are having and move on to live a happier, healthier life.

For a suicidal person, it can be a long road toward feeling a sense of normalcy again. Prescription medications for depression are often given, but parents and friends should monitor the patient to make sure that they do not overdose. Keep an eye on how they react to the medication, and call their doctor if the medication is not working or giving them adverse side effects. Frequent therapy sessions can help people get expert help, and they will have an objective ear to listen to their problems and offer professional advice. Check on the person you are concerned about frequently to find out how they are feeling and remind them that you’re available if they need a friend. Be patient with those who are coping with suicidal thoughts. Those feelings do not just disappear overnight. It takes time to feel hope again and live a life that is stable and normal after having such intense feelings. Suicide support groups are also available to suicidal people, their friends, and their families so that people can reach out to each other for support and discussion. There is also help available for those who have lost someone to suicide.