Suicide is a leading cause of death and affects people of all ages. It can be prevented by identifying those at risk, teaching warning signs and offering help and support. Reducing access to lethal means of self-destruction is another way to prevent suicide. This can include reducing the number of pills in medication packaging and distributing gun safety locks.
Identifying people at risk
Suicide is a public health concern that affects all ages and ethnicities. It can be difficult to recognize and respond to people who are at risk, but it is important to do so. People at risk may exhibit one or more warning signs, such as a change in behavior or frequent expressions of emotional pain or hopelessness.
They may also be preoccupied with or thinking about death, a loss of interest in activities that they once enjoyed, or a desire to end their life. In addition, they may have a plan or access to lethal means of self-harm.
Some groups are at higher risk of suicide than others, and the causes can be complex. They can include a combination of factors, such as genetics and mental illness, cultural or religious beliefs that support self-preservation, and negative conditions that influence people’s lives. These conditions are sometimes called social determinants of health and include racism, discrimination, poor job prospects, and poverty, as well as lack of access to quality physical and mental health care.
Developing life skills
Developing life skills helps children build emotional self-regulation and improve their ability to cope with problems. They also become aware of their own emotions and those of others, which is a critical part of avoiding bullying or violence.
Psychiatric illnesses, such as depression or schizophrenia, can be associated with suicide. These conditions often first appear during adolescence. In addition, adolescent risk factors include lack of connectedness, high stress and conflict in relationships, substance use and unhealthy weight.
Identifying people at risk for suicide is essential to preventing it. PAHO provides technical support to countries in developing national suicide prevention strategies that help raise the issue to the forefront of the public health agenda. Other prevention strategies include means restriction, suicide screening, gatekeeper training, and primary care physician education on mental illness and suicide warning signs. PAHO also supports a safe media campaign by providing training and webinars to journalists on responsible reporting on suicides. In addition, the organization maintains an online clearinghouse of suicide resources, statistics and other information.
Building resilience
A key component of resilience is the pursuit and attainment of worthwhile goals. This includes activities such as fostering healthy relationships, developing interests and hobbies, and contributing to the community. These activities promote a sense of purpose and self-worth, which can be helpful when recovering from trauma or tragedy. A mental health professional can help you develop and implement these strategies.
Moreover, many studies suggest that people who are resilient are more likely to seek social support. They also tend to have more positive emotions and less negative ones. In addition, they may have more stable work and living situations, and more social connections.
Building resilience is a critical part of preventing suicide, and it should be a part of every psychiatric patient’s treatment plan. Mental health professionals should focus on improving resilience through psychosocial and pharmacological interventions. In particular, they should teach patients to practice stress reduction techniques, such as distraction techniques (e.g., going for a run or doing art), distress tolerance skills to identify emotions, and grounding exercises.
Providing support
When someone is at risk of suicide, it’s important to provide support. You can help them by listening, offering a shoulder to cry on and removing objects they might use for self-harm. You can also encourage them to seek professional help. You can also help them find ways to connect with others and provide emotional and spiritual support.
This could involve establishing an emergency contact plan, or helping them to create a safe space at home. You can also try to increase their sense of connectedness by providing them with a person-centered life skills training program or a religious group that has flow rituals. Increasing their social networks is one of the best things you can do to prevent suicide.
It’s also essential to know the warning signs of suicide. These include talk of suicide, looking for a way to kill themselves or acting anxious or agitated. You should never ignore these signs. If you believe that someone is at risk, you should act quickly.