Suicide | Tendencies, Promotion and Prevention Strategies

Those that are depressed are unlikely to read this post. There may be those on the verge of depression as well as those who care for those that are depressed. This post is meant to inform those that are keen on providing support to those at-risk, in order to help our ailing society.

Risk Factors for Suicide

• Feelings of hopelessness
• Previous attempts at suicide
• Family history of child abuse or maltreatment/favoritism
• Family history of suicide
• Mental illness (in particular, clinical depression)
• Alcohol or substance misuse

• Impulsive or aggressive behaviours
• Religious or cultural belief regarding the fact that suicide is noble
• Local epidemic of suicide
• Isolation or sense of feeling that one is cut off from other people
• Inaccessibility to mental health facilities
• Loss - either financial, work, social or loved one
• Physical illness
• Easy access to drugs or weapons to commit suicide
• Stigmatization of mental health issues; thus leading to unwillingness to seek support from mental health specialists

Factors associated with low suicide attempts

• Existence of an effective and robust clinical support for mental and drug abuse disorders
• Family and community support systems (connectedness and social interaction)
• Cultural and religeious beliefs that discourage suicide
• Support in terms of conflict resolution
• Non violent ways of handling disputes
• Easy access to medical care and treatment of diseases
• Good social security systems

Suicide Prevention Strategies

1. Ensure a good economic base - such as strengthening financial security in the household
2. Governmental intervention by ensuring adequate health service delivery and investing in mental health delivery
3. Reduce access to lethal drugs, weapons and or influence via technology
4. Community intervention by reducing access to excessive alcohol use
5. Teaching of coping strategies to people and early engagement
6. Teach problem-solving skills to young people
7. Improvements in parenting skills and family relationships
8. Destigmatization of mental health issues and encouragement of "at-risk" persons to open up
9. Speak up against suicide activities and or any media activities that encourage risk behaviours

Video of Father and daughter discussing how to discipline your child