Suicide Prevention
(Effects of Suicide in Society)
Suicide, defined by terms, is intentionally taking one's own life prematurely. The leading cause of Suicide is depression; in essence, it is a cry for help when one is feeling lost, hoping to escape the pain that an individual is feeling. The effects of a suicide cause a ripple effect in the community, affecting those close to the victim, such as friends, and family.
Who is at risk?
According to online resources in the United States, it is stated that those that are adults over the age of 65 are more likely to attempt suicide due to loneliness and feeling like they no longer have a reason to live (Kent). But the reality of the situation is, that anyone is capable of suicide regardless of age, gender, or nationality, Anxiety, and Depression an emotion that plays a major role in the lives of all of us, that may lead anyone to an attempt at suicide.
Leading causes of Suicide
Loved ones may never know why someone took their own life; Sadly we can only make assumptions. Though it is an unfortunate thing, Suicide, there are various reasons why someone would commit it. Suicide varies from person to person, from those who have a mental illness to chronic pain to even accidentally. In this section, we will cover some of the leading causes;
Mental Illness is a leading cause, it is the form of emotionally overthinking, that affects mood and behavior but it is not limited to just this, it expands to depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and anxiety. it affects the mind emotionally in some cases physically as well.
Traumatic Stress: There is an endless array of traumas that puts someone at risk. Those that have gone through a traumatic experience, such as physical or mental abuse, rape, or even those that are experiencing PTSD. This includes childhood experiences as well.
Substance Abuse: Drugs and alcohol can play a role in increasing one's thoughts of suicide if they are depressed for any reason. With drugs and alcohol, it impairs the mind making them more impulsive on such thoughts.
Loss: Despite circumstances of one's life a single loss can turn even the happiest, to a thought or an attempt; Loss can be defined as anything someone literally loses, be it by financial problems, end of a friendship or a romantic relationship, job loss, academic failure and even death of a loved one. Whatever the "loss" is, it creates a hole in their being, with the thought of not being good enough, the feeling of loss overshadows all the good in their life making them believe loss is all they have.
Physical Pain and Illness: Much of the time if a person is diagnosed with an incurable health problem such as chronic pain, for instance, such as lower back pain, constant migraines, or an illness like cancer, they will attempt suicide, as the individual feels there is no hope left for them. Despite advances in healthcare, the reassurances may not be good enough.
Accidental Suicide: We should hope and pray this never happens but there is such a thing as an "Accidental Suicide" such as someone simply cleaning their gun and it accidentally goes off. The same can be said for small children as well, who play with a gun because of curiosity. According to Aftermath Services, 70% of unintentional shootings are caused by children in the home.
Statistics
"In 2020, the suicide rates were higher among adults ages 25 to 34 years (18.35 per 100,000) and 75 to 84 years (18.43 per 100,000), with the rate highest among adults ages 85 years or older (20.86 per 100,000). Younger groups have had consistently lower suicide rates than middle-aged and older adults. In 2020, adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 had a suicide rate of 14.24." (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
"The age-adjusted suicide rate in California is 9.98 per 100,000 individuals, which is higher than the national average." (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
The statics shown online may just be a number and may in fact be on the decline, but the reality of the situation is these are the people we will never see again. They had families, loved ones, friends, a future, they had a name.
Who is affected afterward?
After someone commits suicide the ones that are affected the most are friends and family. Sometimes after losing a loved one to suicide, the living can become suicidal too. We'll feel an emptiness, forgetting to take care of ourselves while we grieve. Loss of hunger, sleep and an inability to function may set in.
Outbursts of anger may overtake our own emotions and the feeling of guilt can invade the mind. Looking back and regretting the things you did or did not do with that person while they were alive can be a struggle, this is a normal sign of the grieving process. Don't forget to surround yourself with the ones that are still here. In time the feelings of being helpless will reduce and you will start to find meaning in your own life again.
Prevent this Disease!
Suicide can be prevented, though we may never know why someone took their own life, we all play a role in helping prevent it. The suicidal and the people that are affected may be feeling lost and in need of someone to speak to, if you experience this issue, consider talking to trained professionals or joining a support group https://afsp.org/find-a-support-group/ is an excellent website for finding local support groups. If an in-person support group is too much, consider joining an online support group http://www.depression-chat-rooms.org/depression-chat.htm are a friendly bunch, sometimes online interaction can be a safer space for some. Surround yourself with the ones you love, speak to your family and friends about how you are feeling and how they are feeling, and check in on them too. The problems that you are going through are not a burden to the ones that love you.
You are allowed to be hopeful.
Thoughts of Suicide can be a struggle, putting on a happy face for those that you love can be breaking. But genuinely think about the ones that will miss you if you take your own life. You are not a burden, you are not a problem. Don't let your mind trick you, depression is something that can be difficult to overcome, but be sure to do the things that make you happy, surround yourself with everything and everyone you love.
You deserve to be happy, people will listen to what you have to say.
Never forget you are loved.
sources:
Kent, Mary. "In U.S., Who Is at Greater risk for Suicides?" 17, Nov. 2010. https://www.prb.org/resources/in-u-s-who-is-at-greatest-risk-for-suicides/
Accessed 19 Mar 2022.
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