Suicide. We hope that it will never happen to anyone close to us, BUT, it is a reality and more common than you think.

Did you know that South Africa has the eighth highest suicide rate in the world? Yes, South Africa’s shocking suicide stats indicate 667 deaths every month, 154 per week, 22 every day and virtually 1 every hour!

The World Health Organization found that despite the high number of suicides across the globe, help for people thinking of committing suicide is not a priority in the public health system.

No one wants to see someone close to you suffer – knowing that a loved one is experiencing a lot of emotional anguish can be devastating, and the possibility that suicide could claim the life of someone you love, cannot be ignored.

So, who is at risk? In South Africa 60% of people who commit suicide are depressed. The scary thing is that suicide has risen with 48% over the last 10 years in our country, and one third of all non-fatal attempts were recorded among children.

There has been a steep drop in the age of people committing suicide and attempting suicide. At the moment suicides mostly occur in the age group 15-34, but we are beginning to see children as young as 10 successfully commit suicide, and attempts by those as young as six!

Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable. Blinded by feelings of self-loathing, hopelessness, and isolation, a suicidal person can’t see any way of finding relief except through death. But despite their desire for the pain to stop, most suicidal people are deeply conflicted about taking their own lives.

In fact, studies show that in 75% of all suicide attempts, some warning has been given to friends or family.

Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously:

• Talking or joking about suicide.
• Feelings of hopelessness and loss of interest in family and friends.
• Self-criticism/minimization. “I can’t do anything right.” “I am a loser.”
• Changes in personality. A previously sociable person may become withdrawn.
• Loss of interest in appearance or hygiene.
• Risk taking behaviour. E.g. drinking and driving, having unprotected sex or taking drugs.
• Excessive feelings of guilt, self-blame, and a subjective sense of failure.
• Suddenly feeling better without any form of treatment. This could mean that they have set a date for their suicide to end the suffering.

What to do:

If a friend or a loved one talks or behaves in a way that makes your believe that he or she might attempt suicide, take it seriously.

Don’t panic and ask direct questions. Don’t be afraid to ask whether the person is considering suicide. This might give them the opportunity to talk about their feelings and may reduce the risk of acting on suicidal feelings.

Offer your support and listen to what the person has to say. Let them know how much you care. Never be judgemental.

Encourage him or her to make an appointment with their GP, a counselling service or to call an anonymous phone line. Never promise to keep someone’s suicidal feelings a secret. If you think the person’s life is in danger, you have to get help.

Try to assist them in feeling less isolated and more supported.  This may involve scheduling a counselling appointment and reassuring the person that there is help available and that his or her life is important to you.

Remember, you are not responsible for preventing someone from taking their own life, but your intervention may help the person to see that there are other options available.

Suicide Crises toll Free Helpline: 0800 567 567

Suicide Crises: 0800 12 13 14

SADAG: 0800 21 22 23

Source: www.news24.com, www.sadag.org, www.lifeline.co.za, eee.uct.ac.za, www.iol.co.za, www.mayoclinic.org, www.mobieg.co.za, www.counselling-directory.org.uk, psychcentral.com, www.helpguide.org