By Divya Sharma, psychologist
Every 40 seconds, someone in the world takes their own life. There are different causes behind suicide but 90% of them are due to some mental illness like depression, stress, bipolar disorder, etc. September has been marked as suicide prevention month. And here are a few and effective things that we can do to save a loved one.
Be more vigilant about our surroundings, that way we would not miss any alarming and noticeable changes or signs indicating suicidal tendencies. Change in habits, behaviour or mood is a striking indicator. Insomnia, social isolation, drifting from their hobbies, feeling hopeless are some of them. Since we have digital relationships these days, we should not overlook social media post/stories if they seem depressing or portray hopeless.
If you do notice or you have an intuition that something is not right, then it’s always a good idea to get them to talk. Ask questions and listen actively. Try using a reassuring tone, as it helps diminish doubts and fears. Do not discount their feelings because sometimes a ‘not a big deal’ for us can be a ‘big deal’ for someone else. Listening is essential to form an understanding, empathy, and compassion. Also, leaving judgement out is definitely a good idea!
Effective mental health care is essential. As with mental health issues there is so much stigma, it is the biggest barrier to preventing suicide. It precludes many people from asking for help. Encouragement will provide support and confidence to seek help from mental health professionals.
You can also reach out to the national suicide prevention helpline on 9152987821.
We’ve to understand that suicide is a cry for help. Its preventable and, you and I? Together we can prevent it. So, let us try to be more mindful, responsible and try to save a life because its our duty and responsibility;
