Suicide: one of the Prime causes of unnatural death

In a general sense, suicide means the deliberate and reckless act of taking one’s own life. The age group 15–39 years old typically commits it. Hanging, ingestion of pesticides, and firearms are common methods of suicide by which people take this horrible step in the world. In the past, suicide was criminalized, and people who attempted suicide were arrested, punished by fines, or sentenced to prison for one to three years. Now it is decriminalized in most countries of the world, as it helps to encourage them to seek help and prevent suicide. World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is celebrated each year on September 10 in order to save a life.

All the creatures in the universe have an intense love for their lives. They either fight or flight to remain alive on the planet. For example, if we try to bash a cat in an open space, it runs away to save its life, but if we try to slam it by closing the door inside the room, it retaliates to save its life. In spite of being an advanced creature of the globe, a human being takes cruel actions like suicide to end his or her own beautyful life. A person might have the misconception that suicide is the only option that will release them from eternal pain, but his or her family members, friends, and relatives suffer from endless agony, anxiety, and depression, or they are even likely to commit suicide. Moreover, a nation lost competent human resources, which are the main weapons to accelerate the pace of development in any nation.

The coronavirus (Covid-19), which originated in Wuhan, China, in late December 2019, has become the radical reason that led to a soaring number of suicide cases across the world. During the pandemic, all sectors except health and capital markets were closed. The public was bound to reside inside their house for a long time, which created financial crises, disputes, loneliness, frustration, anxiety, depression, etc. In addition, the Russian-Ukraine war that began on February 24, 2021, due to Ukraine’s decision to join NATO, has escalated inflation around the world and created a recession. This has made the lives of the haves and have-nots terrible and compelled them to take the barbaric step of suicide.

Galvanizing facts regarding suicide

• 80% of people who attempt suicide are educated.
• Every 40 seconds, one person passes away by suicide.
• Each year, more than 700,000 people die by suicide.
• In low- and middle-income countries, 77% of global suicide occurs.
• Among teenagers in the age group 15–19, suicide has become the second leading cause of death, whereas it is the fourth leading cause of death between the ages of 15–29.
• When one person commits suicide, there are 20 more people who are trying to attempt it.
• The rate of suicide among males is much higher than among females.

Symptoms of suicide

• Feeling nervous and frustrated for prolonged periods, i.e., more than 2 weeks.
• Lack of self-confidence and a feeling of hopelessness, irritation, and loneliness.
• Preferring to be left alone rather than being social.
• Fluctuation in mood, i.e., being glad one day and sad the next day.
• rise in the use of intoxicants such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, etc.
• unusual change in eating and sleeping patterns.
• Having persistent suicidal thoughts like if I die, everything will be fine or I am a huge burden to my family.

Reasons for suicide

• Mental health problems like depression, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, and anti-social personality disorder
• economic crisis in the family.
• inability to handle stressful situations.
• Relationship issues like divorce, conflict, and breakups.
• chronic painful diseases like migraine, arthritis, sickle cell, etc.
• Failure in business, education, or to fulfill family responsibilities.
• having an impulsive personality.
• Being unemployed in spite of being competent.

Preventive measures for suicide

• Mental health education has to be included in curriculum across the world.
• An adequate number of counseling centers need to be established so that people can share their problems.
• Eradication of mental health stigma.
• If we feel we have mental health problems, we need to immediately visit mental health professionals.
• Parental support plays a key role in overcoming mental health problems.
• We need to share our feelings or emotions with someone with whom we feel comfortable.
• The public should be trained in stress management skills.

According to the great scientist Charles Darwin, each living being has to struggle for existence on this planet. We need to vow to battle every challenge that life throws at us, carrying faith, courage, and hope as our prime weapons, rather than taking our own beautiful lives. Our family members, friends, and relatives have to suffer from chronic grief, anxiety, and depression, or they may even attempt suicide because of our brutal actions. To be born in the disguise of a human being is a privilege given by the almighty God. Therefore, we should love and take care of ourselves.

This article is written by Laxman Raila