Suicide is a permanent “solution” to a temporary problem. There is help and the pain can be reduced!

In Portugal, suicide is more common among older men, living in the Lisbon, Alentejo or Algarve areas, without a job, socially isolated and with a combination of multiple psychological, physical and/or economic problems.

Even so, studies indicate that both self-injurious behavior (any injury or aggression towards oneself, e.g. self-inflicted cuts, cigarette burns, psychoactive substances or medication abuse) as well as anxiety and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation (thoughts about committing suicide) have increased significantly in recent years among young people and university students.

The vast majority of people who commit suicide experience intolerable psychological pain, loss of self-esteem and ability to bear psychological pain, isolation, helplessness, hopelessness and a tendency to see escape as the only solution to end the pain.

Suicide cases are almost always preceded by suicidal ideation, a previous suicide attempt and/or subtle or explicit warnings about the intention to commit suicide. In other words, almost all people who commit suicide warn of their intentions before doing so: the important thing is to be vigilant.

In young people, self-injurious behaviors are more common, but they don’t necessarily have the intention of causing their own death. Those behavior can be understood as ways for the individual to: transform their own psychological pain into physical pain, so that it becomes more bearable; leave clues so that others can become aware of their suffering; cry out for help. These behaviors fall under what is known as Parasuicide.

Attempted suicide, on the other hand, is an act that a person carries out with the intention of ending their life, but for various reasons does not succeed. Sometimes, a parasuicidal behavior that is not rescued in time can result in the death of the individual, without this being their initial intention. What distinguishes the two concepts is intentionality, which is intrinsically greater in attempted suicide.

Suicide prevention involves knowing how to recognize the risk factors and being aware of the warning signs!

For the Portuguese reality, people with the following characteristics are considered vulnerable or at risk:

Personal: aged between 15 and 24 or over 45; male and white; having suffered the death of a partner or close friends; having a high level of education; having a terminal illness and/or frequent hospitalizations, psychiatric or others; having a disintegrated family, due to separation or widowhood.

Psychological/Psychopathological: absence of life projects; continuous and accentuated hopelessness; high guilt for previous events; early loss of significant figures; absence of religious beliefs; presenting depressive pathology, schizophrenia, psychoactive substance abuse or personality disorders; having a family history of suicide or close suicidal role models (friends, peers, fiction or news stories); previous suicidal behavior, threat or thoughts of suicide with an elaborate plan.

Social: lack of family and/or social support; unemployment; change of residence; emigration; living in an urban environment; being retired; easy access to lethal agents (weapons, pesticides, etc.); being imprisoned.

In addition to the risk factors, there are often Warning Signs to look out for:

• Comments about death, wanting to die, seeing no meaning in life, hopelessness, believing that others would be fine if the person died,…;
• Impulsivity, feelings of anxiety and/or intense sadness, rapid changes in mood, changes in energy levels (sudden improvement or worsening of symptoms of depression), self-deprecation, apathy;
• Preparations for death such as preparing official documents, wills or similar, giving away objects of great sentimental value, writing letters or notes to people close to them, leaving farewell messages.

Preventing

Talking about suicide doesn’t increase the chances of it happening, nor does it plant the idea in someone’s mind. On the contrary, talking about suicide and allowing the other person space to express their pain and see it understood can be the best way to prevent something worse from happening.

If you are worried about a friend or acquaintance, try to present yourself as a possible source of help and support and refer them to professional help. Here are some guidelines on how to talk to and help a colleague.

Taking action

When you recognize the warning signs, it’s important to take action by not abandoning the person and seeking professional help immediately.

If you find yourself on the verge of a suicidal act, the Portuguese Society of Suicidology advises you to follow these rules:

• Take the person seriously
• Remain calm and listen actively, without devaluing what is said or done and showing interest
• Involve other people
• Call 112
• Contact the person’s doctor
• Maintain eye contact and, if appropriate, approach the person offering your hand, for example
• Ask direct questions
• Try to find out if the person has a specific plan to commit suicide and if they have the means to do so
• Don’t promise confidentiality, as it may be necessary to talk to other people
• Be empathetic, acknowledge feelings and offer trust
• Emphasize the fact that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, reminding the person that there is help and that things will get better

Source: https://www.spsuicidologia.com