I got news of a young boy, early January, schooling at Babcock University, who attempted and succeeded in killing himself. I won't go all spiritual about this but to talk generally give intervention information.
There are so many reasons why people decide that killing themselves is better than whatever life issues they are going through
There are no statistics of the rate of deaths per year caused by suicide in Nigeria, but there have been various reports of men who have committed suicide this past year. Google research shows suicide is a common cause of death of young people and teenagers, particularly aged 15 to 24 years. Sometimes between 35 and 50 years. There is also reports of suicide of people over 75 years of age.
Suicide occurs across all socioeconomic levels. Suicide can be an impulsive act or a ‘well thought out’ plan. All people – not just mental health professionals – can help young people experiencing suicidal thoughts by providing emotional and practical support.
So let us talk about the issue of youth suicide
WARNING SIGNS OF YOUTH SUICIDE
Predicting suicide is difficult. Changes in behaviour outside the person's normal range of behaviour (and which do not make sense to those close to them) may be a warning sign.
Other warning signs may include:
- Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities
- Giving away prized possessions
- Problem behaviour and substance misuse
- Lack of care (apathy) about dress and appearance, or a sudden change in weight
- Sudden and striking personality changes
- Withdrawal from friends and social activities
- Increased ‘accident prone’ incidents and self-harming behaviours.
- Giving away prized possessions
- Problem behaviour and substance misuse
- Lack of care (apathy) about dress and appearance, or a sudden change in weight
- Sudden and striking personality changes
- Withdrawal from friends and social activities
- Increased ‘accident prone’ incidents and self-harming behaviours.
Most young people who complete suicide told someone of their plans
About 80 per cent of young people who complete suicide told someone they intended to kill themselves.
TRIGGERS OF YOUTH SUICIDE
Stress can contribute to suicide. A young person or teenager may experience an overwhelming and immediate stress or they may have stress that builds up over a long time.
Stressful experiences that may contribute or trigger suicide include:
- Loss of an important person through death or divorce
- Incest or child abuse
- Bullying at school or in the workplace
- A sense of failure at school
- A sense of failure in relationships
- A break-up with a girlfriend or boyfriend
- The experience of discrimination, isolation and relationship conflicts with family, friends and others because the young person is gay or lesbian
- The recent suicide of a friend or relative, or an anniversary of a suicide or the death of someone close to them.
- People who have attempted suicide before are very likely to try again. Those who have a history of harming themselves deliberately are also at higher risk of suicide.
- Loss of an important person through death or divorce
- Incest or child abuse
- Bullying at school or in the workplace
- A sense of failure at school
- A sense of failure in relationships
- A break-up with a girlfriend or boyfriend
- The experience of discrimination, isolation and relationship conflicts with family, friends and others because the young person is gay or lesbian
- The recent suicide of a friend or relative, or an anniversary of a suicide or the death of someone close to them.
- People who have attempted suicide before are very likely to try again. Those who have a history of harming themselves deliberately are also at higher risk of suicide.
HELPING A YOUNG PERSON WHO IS EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS
You may be able to help a young person if you:
- Listen and encourage them to talk and show that you are taking their concerns seriously
- Tell the person that you care
- Acknowledge their fears, despair or sadness
- Provide reassurance, but do not dismiss the problem
- Ask if they are thinking of hurting or killing themselves, and if they have a plan
- Point out the consequences of suicide for the person and those they leave behind
- Ensure they do not have access to lethal weapons or medications
- Stay with the person if they are at high risk of suicide
- Immediately tell someone else, preferably an adult
- Get help from professionals, offer to go with them to provide support
- Let them know where they can get other help
- Provide contact numbers and assist them to call if necessary.
- Listen and encourage them to talk and show that you are taking their concerns seriously
- Tell the person that you care
- Acknowledge their fears, despair or sadness
- Provide reassurance, but do not dismiss the problem
- Ask if they are thinking of hurting or killing themselves, and if they have a plan
- Point out the consequences of suicide for the person and those they leave behind
- Ensure they do not have access to lethal weapons or medications
- Stay with the person if they are at high risk of suicide
- Immediately tell someone else, preferably an adult
- Get help from professionals, offer to go with them to provide support
- Let them know where they can get other help
- Provide contact numbers and assist them to call if necessary.
THINGS TO AVOID WHEN HELPING A YOUNG PERSON EXPERIENCE SUICIDAL THOUGHTS
Try to avoid:
- Interrupting with stories of your own
- Panicking or becoming angry
- Being judgmental
- Offering too much advice.
- Panicking or becoming angry
- Being judgmental
- Offering too much advice.
YOUTH SUICIDE MYTHIS
Incorrect beliefs concerning suicide include:
Myth
Young people who talk about suicide never attempt or complete it. They are just seeking attention.
Fact: It is more likely a cry for help and should always be taken seriously.
Young people who talk about suicide never attempt or complete it. They are just seeking attention.
Fact: It is more likely a cry for help and should always be taken seriously.
Myth: Once a person is intent on suicide, there is no way to stop them. They will be suicidal forever.
Fact: Suicide can be prevented. If they receive the help they seek, they are less likely to attempt suicide.
Fact: Suicide can be prevented. If they receive the help they seek, they are less likely to attempt suicide.
Myth: Suicide is hereditary.
Fact: While suicide tends to run in families, it is not hereditary. It is important for people experiencing suicidal thoughts to know that there are options other than ending their life.
Fact: While suicide tends to run in families, it is not hereditary. It is important for people experiencing suicidal thoughts to know that there are options other than ending their life.
Myth: All suicidal young people are depressed.
Fact: While depressed mood is common, this is not true for everyone who suicides.
Fact: While depressed mood is common, this is not true for everyone who suicides.
Myth: A marked and sudden improvement in mental state following a crisis indicates the suicide risk is over.
Fact: When there have been signs of a possible suicide attempt, a sudden improvement in mood may in fact indicate that the person has finally decided to take their own life.
Fact: When there have been signs of a possible suicide attempt, a sudden improvement in mood may in fact indicate that the person has finally decided to take their own life.
WHERE TO GET HELP
Your local community health centre
A doctor (not necessarily the family doctor)
Search the internet for an Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists in your own country or state
A doctor (not necessarily the family doctor)
Search the internet for an Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists in your own country or state
THINGS TO REMEMBER
- You don't have to be a trained professional to help a young person experiencing suicidal thoughts.
- Take all suicide threats seriously.
- You can help by offering emotional and practical support, by listening - and by helping to link the person with professional help.
- Take all suicide threats seriously.
- You can help by offering emotional and practical support, by listening - and by helping to link the person with professional help.
NOTE: This document is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Remember to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to your medical questions.
We have a team of professionals who are available to deal with these kind of emotional issues. Do get in touch with undersigned @lailasmd@gmail.com or 080-3395-1460. PLEASE SHARE
Researched from BetterHealth Channel
by: Laila St. Matthew-Daniel
Pamela Evbota
Ruth Goma
by: Laila St. Matthew-Daniel
Pamela Evbota
Ruth Goma
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