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World Suícide Prevention Day: Signs that one could be having suícidal thoughts

Francis Muli
WSPD
PHOTO/sussex.ics

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The world is marking World Suícide Prevention Day on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

World Suícide Prevention Day is an awareness day always observed on September 10 every year, to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suícides.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), suicíde is a major public health challenge, with more than 700,000 deaths each year globally. 

It is the fourth leading cause of mortality among 15-29-year-olds according to WHO.

“World Suícide Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suícide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO). The 10 September each year aims to focus attention on the issue, reduces stigma and raises awareness among organizations, governments, and the public, giving a singular message that suicídes are preventable,” WHO says.

The Moi Teaching and Referal Hospital lists risk factors including family history of suícide or child maltreatment, previous suícide attempt(s), mental illness, physical illness and chronic pain, hopelessness, impulsiveness, aggressiveness and isolation and loneliness.

Other risk factors include barriers to accessing mental health treatment, loss (relational, social, work, or financial), easy access to lethal methods and unwillingness to seek help due to stigma.

Here are some signs highlighted by MTRH that a loved one could be experiencing suícidal thoughts;

Behavioural signs

Some of the most prominent behavioural signs include withdrawing from activities, isolating themselves from loved ones, increased risk-taking (engaging in reckless behaviours such as driving dangerously) and substance use or engaging in unsafe coitus.

Other behavioural signs include giving away belongings, changes in sleep patterns and sudden calmness after a period of severe anxiety.

MTRH says that a sudden sense of calm or happiness can indicate that the person has made a decision to end their life.

Also, self-harm, including engaging in behaviours like cutting, burning, or other forms of self-injury, could indicate that a person is having suícidal thoughts.

Emotional signs

Some of the emotional signs include feelings of hopelessness, intense sadness or despair, sudden calmness, prolonged periods of anxiety, overwhelming sadness or emotional numbness.

Others include anger or irritability, feeling confined, guilt or shame and feeling like a burden to them.

Verbal signs

Some of the verbal signs include talking about wanting to die, mentioning suícide methods or plans, expressing no reason to live, discussing feelings of hopelessness, seeking out lethal means (searching for information on suícide methods or acquiring items that could be used to harm themselves (e.g. firearms, medications)) and prevention posting on social media status.

Physical signs

Among the physical signs include changes in appetite and/or weight, and decline in physical appearance, including neglecting persona hygiene, appearance, or grooming.

Other signs include complaining of chronic pain or other physical symptoms that seem to have no clear cause.

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