Suicide: Prevention, Awareness and Seeking Help

Sushant Singh’s probable suicide news shocked the entire nation. Don’t we all just read about this tabooed topic, all year long! Sometimes it’s student suicide, sometimes it’s a celebrity and sometimes it could be one of our dear ones. Yet it’s still stigmatized and brushed under the rug kind of a discussion. 

Surprising enough every 3 seconds someone attempts suicide in our country, and we have the highest youth suicide cases globally. There are endless myths about suicide and those that have suicidal thoughts or ideas. Some of the most common ones are: 

• Might be suffering from mental condition/life-threatening diseases/financial or personal issues,
• Once they are suicidal there is no going back,
• If you talk or mention or ask about suicide, it will encourage them,
• It happens suddenly, and
• People who attempt or commit suicide are selfish

How many times have you believed in these myths or heard people tell you about them?

I assume the answer is ‘very often’. The problem isn’t just countering these myths, it's about how we have been informed about them diligently, yet we don’t seem to budge or learn!

Let’s talk about how we can make a difference and contribute towards de-stigmatization, identification and helping those who might need us.

Suicide Prevention Workshops and Classes

The first step to helping is awareness and knowledge about suicide myths, triggers, and indicators. Also, debunk the myths you have been carrying with you!  Several national and international organizations provide training or conduct workshops that help you learn all about suicide and its prevention.

Social Media to the Rescue

One of the most powerful tools we have today is social media platforms. Share informative articles from reliable pages, promote healthy habits and if possible, check on people. You can do this through polls, interactive posts, etc. You never know how your posts might be a source of inspiration and motivation to someone.

Walk for Suicide Prevention and Awareness

There are national/international NGOs and organizations that fund the arrangement of such walks for suicide awareness, prevention and even raise money for those families affected by suicide. 

Spread Awareness about Suicide/Crisis Helpline Lines and Services

Wherever you may be living there is always a 24/7 crisis or suicide helpline number. (National Suicide Prevention Helpline 1800-121-3667). Make notes about these services and make sure to circulate, save and send them to as many people as possible. Similarly, there are mobile and web applications that help deal with suicide-related issues. They help provide support for youth, parents, educators about suicide prevention, risk, what to do and self-help tools. 

Seeking Professional Help

There may be times when self-help and crisis helplines could only help you deal with just immediate issues. However, when you see yourself or anyone else struggling, seeking professional help can help prevent any life-altering events. HappiMynd offers services like chatting with expert psychologists and even virtual counselling. These services not only provide you with a chance to seek therapy from wherever you are but also provide the flexibility of talking through texts when you could be struggling with speaking to anyone. 

This is a sensitive issue and will remain an ongoing battle until we learn to be more open about the discussion around suicide. Additionally, there is a need to de-stigmatize suicide and putting policies in place to manage the sensitivity of the portrayal of suicide-related news in all forms of media. However, as individuals by arming ourselves with the awareness and information we can contribute to helping someone or many struggling with suicidal thoughts and issues