800,000 people lose their lives to suicide every year according to world health organization!
That's one person every 40 seconds! That means when you listen to my 36th episode, by the end at least 20 people lost their lives to suicide, one of which lives in America. This statistic is disheartening especially because for every suicide death, there are 25 suicide attempts reported.
So it's close, closer than you think, and it's preventable. For me, suicide is personal, and in this episode, I share with my audience vulnerably: The incident, the pain, and what it taught me.
Who commits suicide?
Anyone!
Sometimes when we think about suicide, we think of a drug addict, a weak-willed, or recently a celebrity. But if you talk with those who lost someone to suicide, most will tell you how shocked they were by the news! As you know already, my friend was a strong woman. She had a great career with a positive outlook on life. So never assume! Never take one's comments lightly! Always keep a close eye on people close to you, and if you see any of the signs, Act!
What are the signs?
Shockingly, 81% of people who commit suicide tell someone what they will do and when they will do it. Sadly enough, either they weren't taken seriously, or the individual didn't have the tools necessary to deal with the information.
So first, listen carefully. Be alarmed when someone talks about having no interest in living, feeling like a burden to others, or having no hope for a better future. It is always best to seek professional help if someone discloses such information to you because you can save their life!
If they are not talking, look for significant changes in their behavior. For example, if they are withdrawing from family and friends' activities, especially if they were an active participant before. See if they are consuming more alcohol or drugs; Giving away valuable possessions; Sleeping too little or too much; Being aggressive or too fatigued; Reading books related to death; Posting on social media about death; Searching on their computer about the afterlife, writing wills, or dealing with depression. Never take these signs lightly, and always seek professional help.
What should you do?
Seek professional help. It can start with the family doctor. Sometimes things as small as vitamin D deficiency can severely impact one's mood and sense of well-being. So ask about their recent check-up and support them in seeking professional help. Go with them if they need to. And if they don't, you seek professional help to find ways to help them.
In the meanwhile, be a good listener, validate their emotions and Empathize with them. Don't argue, blame and point the finger. Provide a trusting, compassionate environment to encourage sharing. Remember, you can not fix the problem. You are just guiding them to seek professional help. Think of all the gene misfunctions that could cause the issue. So seek professional help.
Know about the resources available to you: the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline the Crisis text line. Educate yourself beyond this episode.
Additional Reading and Resources:
www.psychiatry.org/patients-famili…cide-prevention www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood…es-depression www.reuters.com/article/us-immigr…TRE7335VJ20110404 www.today.com/specials/suicide-attempt-survivors/ www.federalregister.gov/documents/202…t-act-of-2018 Suicide hotline: 800-273-8255 Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis Books: It's OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand by Megan Devine Books: I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping, and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One by Brook Noel Books: Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig Shattering the silence: Youth suicide preventionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRo5Db_7yVI Lessons from the mental Hospital www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHHPNMIK-fY Brene Brown on Vulnerability www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0 What I learned from my husband’s suicide: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb_1IklnhaU The bridge between suicide and life www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CIq4mtiamY&t=672s
P.S.
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