Those Feeling Down!

This article was originally published in Ceylon Today newspaper on 11 September 2016

The global community observed World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, 2016. The day is hosted annually by the the International Association for Suicide Prevention, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health.

According to the statistics provided by WHO, more than 800,000 people die because of suicide every year. It is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-old persons. A larger number of people attempt suicide every year.

Sri Lanka, home to just over 20 million people, ranks among the highest when considering the suicide rate. According to the WHO, Sri Lanka is listed as having the 4th highest suicide rate of the world.

Since Sri Lanka gained its independence in 1948, the number of people who commit suicide has been consistently increasing. Hanging and poisoning are the most common suicide methods in the country, the report stated.

Suicide rate and Sri Lanka

Ceylon Today contacted ‘Sri Lanka Sumithrayo’ which is a government approved charity founded by the Late Mrs. Joan De Mel in 1974. For more than 40 years the organization is conducting a priceless service to the country by giving emotional support to whom it is needed most.

According to Sumithrayo, currently in Sri Lanka, an average, 8-10 persons die by suicide every single day. Even more staggering is the number of attempted suicides. For each person who dies by suicide, at least 10 others fail in their attempts to end their lives. Accordingly, we are looking at 110 people choosing suicide as an option to end their pain each day. In other words, 40,000 people attempt to commit suicide in Sri Lanka each year.

In 1995, Sri Lanka had the highest rate of suicide in the world: 47 per 100,000 of the population. By 2007 the suicide rate in the country was down to 20/100,000. According to Police reports, it remained at 20/100,000 up to 2011. Total suicides for 2014 are at 3,144 (down from 3,770 in 2011).

Mindset of Sri Lankan society

Rangana (not his real name), a young man who was in his late 20s suddenly disappeared about a month ago. He worked as a software engineer for a leading company in Sri Lanka and earned, according to the perception of Sri Lankan society, a higher salary which could be enough to take care of an entire family. So, in a commoner’s eye Rangana got everything that a young Sri Lankan men dreamed for. He came from a respectable family, he had looks, he was educated, he got a white collar and highly paid job. “What else a man want rather than that to live comfortably in this society?,” some one would be think in that way. Yet, he disappeared without a clue. Without a clue, except five-six-sentences-lengthy status posted on his facebook wall about one of his personal problems. This seemed to be written with a steady but depressive mindset.

His friends were alarmed by his sudden disappearance and the tone of the facebook status. With the support of the police, they began to search for him. They searched for him in every imaginable place where there was even the least likelihood of him being found. But all attempts were fruitless. Many thought he would come back after his problem was sorted out or his pain soothed with time.

However, a week after his sudden disappearance, he was located. Rangana was there in a bush near the river which flows gracefully behind his University. A rope tightly embracing his throat told the story.

The news of a man who killed himself went viral. Newspapers, websites and social media gave huge attention to Rangana so that people began to talk about him and the incident. While a very few showed sympathy towards the condition he had been living in, a majority blamed him for ‘being weak’. “What an idiot this fellow is?,” was the obvious reaction of many. He had everything. People who do not have anything like that live in society helplessly, but they never kill themselves for some minor problems. This man is completely an idiot who did not care about his parents even, they argued.

An alarming number of people also said that such ‘weak persons’ are a burden to the society and to the country. “Therefore, it is very good that they kill themselves rather than staying a burden to others,” they said.

Only a few people paid attention towards the pain and the mental condition Rangana had endured. If he has sought or was directed towards a psychiatric, may be he could still be alive among us, these people said.

This incident is one among hundreds of similar stories happening daily in this country. However, by having a deeper look, it is crystal clear that as a country we do not give much attention to the mental health of the citizens. Many do not understand that there is a possibility that anyone, in some stage in his or her life, can be fallen into mental depression. Many still consider mental depression as a taboo. The society in general still considers it to be a reason for shame and a sign of weakness.

What they are not aware of is that people don’t decide to end their lives out of the blue. They often drop signs that they are thinking about suicide which are sometimes obvious. In such situations, those who are close to them must show more care, more attention and more empathy towards the person. But unfortunately, many people are not observant. They are never sensitive towards the person next to them.

As a result of this mindset, individuals who are going through emotional distress and mental depression hesitate to seek professional help to heal themselves. The bottled up feelings and emotions can be exploded at any moment and the society call it a ‘suicide’.

Suicidal behavior

Suicidal behavior has a large number of underlying causes, which are complex and interconnected with one another. Identifying these factors and understanding their role in both fatal and non-fatal suicidal behavior is central to preventing suicide.

Factors such as poverty, unemployment, loss of loved ones, arguments with family or friends, a breakdown in relationships and legal or work-related problems are all acknowledged as risk factors when affecting those who are predisposed or otherwise especially vulnerable to self-harm. A family history of suicide is a recognized risk factor with both social and genetic correlates.

Other predisposing factors include alcohol and drug abuse, a history of physical or sexual abuse in childhood, and social isolation. psychiatric problems, such as depression and other mood disorders, schizophrenia and a general sense of hopelessness also play a central role. Physical illness, particularly those that are painful or disabling, are also important factors.

Having access to means to kill oneself (most typically guns, medicines, and agricultural/rodent poisons) is both an important risk factor in itself and an important determinant of whether an attempt will be successful or not. Having made a previous suicide attempt is a powerful predictor of subsequent fatal suicidal behavior, particularly in the first 6 months after the first attempt.

Reaching out to the Suicidal and Survivors

The act of showing care and concern to someone who may be vulnerable to suicide can be a game-changer. Asking them whether they are OK, listening to what they have to say in a non-judgmental way, and letting them know you care, can all have a significant impact.

Isolation increases the risk of suicide, and, conversely, having strong social connections is protective against it, so being there for someone who has become disconnected can be life saving.

An important aspect of reaching out also involves linking people to relevant professional services to ensure appropriate care and follow-up for that person.

Reaching out to persons bereaved by a suicide is of equal importance. By giving an individual the opportunity to talk about their loss, in their own time and on their own terms can also provide a lifeline.

Early identification

A common perception, often portrayed in the media, is that people “hit rock bottom” before they can be helped. This is a total myth. Research shows that early identification of the problem is a much more effective solution for emotional issues.

Early identification occurs at the first signs of a problem, before anyone has suffered a traumatic event, dropped out of school or lost important relationships, jobs, their health or self-respect. Seeking help can spare the victim and their family member’s of a tragic event.

Influence of the media on suicide

It has been identified through researches that the impact of the media on suicidal behavior seems to be most likely when a method of suicide is specified, specially when such incidents are presented in detail. When an incident is reported or portrayed dramatically and prominently, for example with photographs of deceased or large eye catching headlines and when suicides of celebrities are reported in an interesting manner, it can be a motivation for people who bottle up the agony and depression inside them to commit suicide. The danger can be seen more among the younger people who seem to be more vulnerable than elders.

Recently published National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England says guidelines should be provided to media on reporting suicidal incidents. Media need to avoid dramatic reporting or portrayal of suicide and specifying means used. Most highlight the desirability of providing accurate facts about causes, including due emphasis on mental health problems, the report firmly said.

All are humans!

It is very easy for anyone to judge others, blame them, label them as weak and mock at them highlighting their agonized behavior. What is extremely hard is to listen to others who endure pain, be sensitive to them and help them to survive. After all, we all are humans. The problems they are going through now can also hit us hard and perhaps even more severely one day. Despite being busy with current lifestyle, if we are willing to help each other without judging the other, we can find a solution for this terrible situation as a country.

Just remember, we all are humans and we need to be there for each other when it is mostly needed.

Help is always out there

If you or anyone you know feels like cornered, helpless and vulnerable, there is always a help which you can go for. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), every government hospital and Sri Lanka Sumithrayo are always willing to help those who feel weary of life, find themselves in a dark place and asking questions that have no answers.

Help lines,
Sri Lanka Sumithrayo: Tel - 2692909, 2683555, 2696666