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Suicide is often associated with a sense of isolation, and you may be able to help dispel suicidal thoughts by communicating with someone else.
Every 40 seconds, a person somewhere in the world puts an end to his life.
Nearly 800,000 people commit suicide each year, according to the World Health Organization, the second leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29, after road accidents.
The statistics are shocking, but according to the World Health Organization, there has not been much discussion.
As this act seems extremely extreme, it affects only children and parents, as well as spouses, friends and colleagues of victims.
Even an American study, published last year, concluded that for every person who kills himself, this could have a direct impact on another 135 people.
Julie Cyril, Ph.D., of the University of Kentucky, also concluded that the psychological impact on those closest to them increases as victims move closer to the victims, regardless of their family ties.
But it can be difficult at times to talk about this difficult topic with people who are considering suicide.
Start the dialogue
It's important to engage in a conversation, she told BBC spokeswoman Emma Carrington, a spokesperson for Rethink UK, a mental health organization.
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The World Health Organization believes that it is important to help young people develop their skills to overcome the stress of life
"For starters, we need to realize that the conversation is difficult – it's not a normal everyday conversation, so you'll be nervous, that's fine," she says.
"You can not aggravate the situation because it is really the worst thing.It is important to listen in a way that you do not seem to criticize or judge.
Here are some tips:
- Choose a quiet place where the other person feels comfortable.
- Make sure you have the time to talk.
- If you say the wrong thing, do not panic, do not be too cruel.
- Concentrate on the other person, communicate with the eyes and put your phone aside. Give him all your attention.
- be patient. It can take time and several attempts before the person is ready to open and talk.
- Use open-ended questions that require more than yes or no. Check that you understand the answer.
- Do not interrupt or display a solution. Do not jump with your own thoughts on the feelings of the other person.
- Check that he knows where to get professional medical help.
Who is at risk?
Suicide affects people of all ages, but the suicide rate among men is higher in the world.
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Even if you are not convinced of what the other person is saying, you should allow him to talk openly about what is bothering him.
In 2016, the suicide rate for men was 13.5 per 100,000, compared to 7.7 per 100,000 for women.
However, the ratio of men to women can vary considerably from one country to another.
Russia had the highest suicide rate in the world for men: 48 per 100,000 in 2016. This rate is more than six times higher than that of women.
The relationship between suicide and mental disorders – depression and alcohol abuse in particular – is very clear.
But many suicides occur recklessly in times of crisis, when people fall apart in the face of life pressures, financial problems, emotional breakdowns, chronic pain, and illness.
Suicide rates are high among rural populations, as well as among groups at risk of discrimination, such as refugees and migrants, natives, gays and prisoners.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), conflict, disasters, violence, abuse, loss or isolation are other risks.
"A person can feel isolated even when they seem to be surrounded by people," says Carrington from Rethink UK. "Some people can suffer economically.All of these things can accumulate in front of someone."
"If we do not get support from people around us, it can be very difficult for us."
What can society do?
According to the World Health Organization, governments can do a lot to prevent suicide, including:
- Break the stigma and talk about it publicly.
- Help young people develop their skills, overcome the stress of life, especially in schools.
- Training of non-specialized health workers in the evaluation and management of suicidal behavior.
- Discover and support people at risk and maintain long-term contact.
- Restrict access to deadly means and tools.
Dispel the myths
Mental health organizations are trying to dispel what they say is a common myth that talking about suicide to people raises misconceptions in their minds.
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Vulnerable social groups are particularly vulnerable to suicide.
But according to Beyond Blue, an Australian child protection organization headed by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, talking about suicide can give hope to people with suicidal thoughts.
A study of 3,000 Australians commissioned by the NGO revealed that 30% of people would hesitate to give away some of the misconceptions when talking about suicide.
In addition, over half of respondents felt that helping someone with suicidal thoughts requires professional skills.
Do not judge
"It's not an obligation to be a health professional, to support a person at risk," said Gillard during the presentation of the study's findings.
Although receiving professional medical care is the only sure way to get medication and treatment, Carrington says that talking openly about suicide can show you do not have prejudices, which can help them get better. feel safe in the short term.
"Maybe they'll say," No, my God, I did not think about it, "she said.
"But for most people, when they are really sad, there will be an idea in the background of their minds."
Talk about "today"
"If you're worried about someone, keep asking him how it's going today, using the word (today) can help, because if that person is really out of date, does not seem to be a huge question. "
"It often takes more than a conversation with the person concerned to become open to talking about suicide.You need to build a climate of trust with her, so that you feel that you are not inclined to criticize and that you have no prejudices. "
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