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How to prevent suicide

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The Live Life approach by the World Health Organisation.

KUCHING: A comprehensive suicide prevention strategy needs to be employed in collaboration with healthcare, social care, economic and legal support to form a safety net.

Dr Ravi

Dr Ravivarma Rao Panirselvam, a psychiatrist at Miri Hospital, said this is crucial for when people fall into hard times.

“The cause of suicide is complex and involves the interaction of multiple individuals, interpersonal, community and systemic factors ranging from loss of employment, mental illness, relationship difficulties, stigma of the very suicidal thoughts, poor media reporting and difficulties in accessing help. 

“In low and middle-income countries like ours, suicides often are preceded by overwhelming life stressors as opposed to mental illness. It is important that formal services are adaptable and accessible because people who need the care most often do not get it.”

He added that decriminalisation of suicidal attempts would also remove a block in accessing care.

Dr Ravi noted that adopting the ‘Live Life’ approach as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) could be useful.

The ‘Live Life’ is WHO’s approach to starting suicide prevention so that countries can build on it further to develop and implement a comprehensive national suicide prevention strategy.

WHO stated that more than 700,000 people lose their life to suicide every year, thus the world is not on track to reach the 2030 suicide reduction targets.

‘Live’ refers to cross-cutting foundations which encompasses situation analysis, multisectoral collaboration, awareness raising, capacity building, financing as well as surveillance, monitoring and evaluation.

Meanwhile, ‘Life’ refers to limit access to the means of suicide, interact with the media on responsible reporting, foster life skills of young people, early identification and supporting the affected.

Dr Ravi also disclosed that people who have suicidal thoughts do demonstrate some signs which can be noted in one’s own review or told by the people who are close to them.

The signs could be identified via verbal statements or behavioral cues, he added.

“Verbal statement may be explicit or implicit such as wishing they were dead, wanting to kill themselves, giving up or wishing not to wake up among others. These need to be taken seriously and not to be assumed as attention-seeking.

“As for behavioral cues, it could be signs of mental illness especially psychosis like hallucinatory behavior, delusion or depression, making preparations for their end like writing wills, giving away prized possessions and change of personality either being withdrawn or excessively cheerful.”

Having said that, he pointed out there were various things that could be done to help those who may be at risk.

He said a suicidal crisis is an extremely difficult and challenging time for a person who sees no way out of the problem.

“Recognising this as a time of extreme distress, it is really important to realise that it is okay not to be okay. It must be known that asking for help is a sign of strength.

“If you recognise someone who is at risk, listening without judgment is validating and helpful before offering advice. When you are concerned if someone may have suicidal thinking, do ask about it.

“A semi-direct way of asking would be helpful in prompting them to speak. It is also important to note that asking about suicide will not give a person an idea to die by suicide.”

Dr Ravi also stressed the importance of knowing about the local services available.

“Using a helpline such as Befrienders is useful in times of crisis. Moreover, encouraging and accompanying a person in crisis to seek professional help such as going to the hospital or clinic will be helpful too.

“You can visit any nearest emergency department or health facility for further assistance. Befrienders KL operates 24/7 at 03-76272929.”