Dr. Manmeet Singh
World Mental Health Day is organized by the World Federation for Mental health.
This year’s Day is supported by WHO, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, and United for Global Mental Health
Every suicide is a tragedy. Although commonly under-reported, it is estimated that close to 800 000 people take their lives each year. As much as twenty times as many may attempt suicide. The devastating impact reaches families, friends and communities.
Every 40 seconds someone dies by suicide. Suicide knows no national boundaries: it is a serious public health problem in high-income countries, and even more in low- and middle-income countries where nearly 80% of suicides occur.
Alarmingly, adolescents and young adults are highly vulnerable. Suicides among young people account for nearly a third of all suicides globally, and suicide is the second leading cause of death in the 15 to 29 year age group. Suicide rates can be highest in people over the age of 70 and men are about twice as likely as women to die by suicide – in some regions it is as high as four times.
Often the stigma, taboo and laws around suicide mean people do not seek help. Despite improved research and knowledge about prevention, many health systems are unable, or fail, to provide care when it is sought. In many communities, resources for suicide prevention are scarce, limited or nonexistent. Suicide prevention is too often a low priority for governments and policy-makers.
Our young people are self-harming and taking their own lives at alarming rates. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for adolescents aged 15 to 19 years in 2015. While in most other age groups men die by suicide at a much higher rate than women, adolescent girls from 15 to 19 years take their lives in nearly the same numbers as boys. We must work towards preventing this tragic cause of death in youth among both sexes.
Young people around the world face daunting issues such as poverty, migration, war and violence, family instability, bullying and mental health challenges including depression and substance abuse. Preventing suicide and improving mental health in this vulnerable age group can be achieved by addressing their risk factors and through better health services, education, skills training and social support.
Risk factors for suicide are varied. Responses must be tailored to be effective.
Suicidal behaviours are complex. Research and evidence indicate that no single cause or stressor alone can explain a suicidal act. The foundation of prevention is to understand what puts a person at risk.
Experts call it multicausality – an interplay of biological, psychological, social, environmental and cultural factors. For example, the communities that people live in and the support available, as well as stigma, religious and legal factors can be involved.
Suicide prevention takes leadership and will. All sectors of society must work together. It can be done.
With awareness, commitment and action we can save lives Together. A person’s immediate relationships with family, friends and significant others as well as psychological and cognitive functions play important roles. Identifying and restricting access to the means of suicide are also key to prevention, such as limiting access to pesticides and firearms, or barriers on subways and bridges.It is important to note that most people who engage in suicidal behaviour are ambivalent about wanting to die, and suicides can be impulsive responses to acute stressors.
Every sector of society has a role to play. Alongside health and mental health professionals and organizations, there are critical roles for schools, businesses, community and religious leaders, the social welfare and judicial systems, and the media. National and regional governments need to mobilize and coordinate the various sectors and define a culturally-specific response through a national strategy which aims for at least a 10% reduction in the suicide rate initially, as agreed in the WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020, and a reduction by one third by 2030 according to the Sustainable development Goals. A strong health system and universal health coverage are fundamental to improved mental health and suicide prevention.
The World Health Organization is focussing efforts on achieving the SDGs, which include the goal of ensuring adolescents survive and – importantly – thrive. WHO is developing an evidence-based, open-access package of psychological interventions to specifically address the issue of adolescent self-harm and suicide. The package will focus on promotion and prevention: promoting good mental health, while preventing self-harm and risk behaviours such as substance abuse, bullying, violence, and school failure. It aims to equip young people with problem-solving, stress management, interpersonal and emotional regulation skills to fulfill their potential and overcome adversity.
With adequate resources, WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse can also support countries to implement a comprehensive package of suicide prevention interventions across different sectors that embody the Live Life approach.
Leadership in policy and multisectoral collaboration
Interventions for implementation
Vision for innovation, financing, and delivery platforms
Evaluation, monitoring, surveillance and research
Less means by restricting access
Interaction with media for responsible reporting
Form the young in their life skills
Early identification, management and follow-up
(The author is assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, ASCOMS & Hospital, Jammu)
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
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