Understanding suicide better

Why do we need to talk about suicide prevention?

Suicide is currently the leading cause of death for youth in India aged 15-29 years. However, suicides are preventable and, with appropriate skills, anyone can be involved in prevention efforts which could change the trajectory of someone’s life.

Misinformation, stigma, and lack of knowledge about support services continue to act as huge barriers for youth in accessing timely support or care. Building forums for open dialogue about suicide and its prevention is a critical first step towards better prevention.

What is suicide and suicidal ideation?

You might be struggling to cope with a difficult or stressful life situation such as:

Bullying, discrimination
Physical/sexual abuse
Loss of a loved one
Long-term physical illness or pain
Depression or other mental illness
Relationship difficulties/breakup
Family conflict
Money/financial problems
Loneliness/isolation
Cultural pressure, e.g., forced marriage
Adjusting to a major change in life
Academic stress

If you are unsure why you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, this might feel even more challenging. But there is support available that could help you understand why you are feeling this way and identify ways to cope and feel better.

What are the warning signs of suicide?

Warning signs are indications that someone may be at risk of suicide (immediately or in the near future). Many suicides are preceded by warning signs, whether verbal or behavioral. It is important to learn the warning signs and look out for them. It may help to save a life—yours or someone else’s.

Verbal signs: If the person talks about:

Wanting to die or kill themselves (e.g., “I wish I were dead”)
Experiencing unbearable/unending pain (e.g., “I’m tired of life, I just can’t go on”)
The meaninglessness of life—that there is no point in living further (e.g., “My life has no value”)
Feeling worthless or being a burden on others (e.g., “My family would be better off without me”)

Behavioral signs: If their behavior signals:

Past suicide attempt or self-harm attempt (signs of self-injury)
Isolating from friends and family/wanting to be left alone
Purchasing or arranging means to attempt suicide
Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order when there's no other logical explanation for doing this
Loss of interest in things they used to care about
Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seeing them again
Sudden interest or disinterest in religion
Increased use of drugs/alcohol, or relapse after a period of recovery

Emotional signs: If they show:

Sudden mood swings
Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
Feelings of shame/guilt
Signs of heightened stress, anxiety, and restlessness
Mental health problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, etc.)
A sudden calmness after a long period of low mood may indicate that a person has decided to take their own life

Why might someone have suicidal feelings and thoughts?

Anyone can have thoughts of suicide, irrespective of their age, gender, or background. Mostly, no single cause (e.g., failure in an examination) is sufficient to explain why suicide happens. A person may act on their suicidal feelings when multiple stressful situations or factors create feelings of hopelessness or helplessness.

However, there are certain situations that can place a person at greater risk of attempting suicide. These include:

Previous suicide attempt
Access to means to end their life
Consumption of alcohol or drugs
Sudden stress due to financial, family, academic, or relationship problems
Discrimination and/or marginalization (e.g., faced by religious/caste/class/gender/sexual minorities)
Physical and/or emotional abuse
Physical illness that causes disability or chronic pain
Living with depression or any other mental illness, etc.

The presence of these factors does not necessarily lead to suicidal thoughts or behavior but can exacerbate feelings of anger, hopelessness, helplessness, or guilt. It is therefore important to know about these factors and look out for any warning signs.

How long might someone feel suicidal?

How long these feelings last can differ for everyone. While such thoughts may return, they are not permanent and do go away. With support and help, one can go on to live a fulfilling life. The earlier one identifies their feelings related to suicide, the quicker they can get support to overcome these feelings.

Where is help available?

If there is an emergency:

Call your local emergency services/ambulance
Go to your nearest hospital emergency room
Contact a suicide crisis helpline

If you have thoughts of suicide but aren't in a crisis, you can access the following options:

Call a support helpline: Telephone-based counselling services can be a safe way of getting information or support when you need it. Talking to someone on the telephone can also be helpful if you are finding it difficult to open up to the people you know or speak to someone face-to-face.
Make an appointment with a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist or psychologist: They can help you understand why you're experiencing suicidal feelings and think about ways you can help yourself cope with and resolve them.
Reach out to a peer support group: This could be another helpful space to share your thoughts and learn tips for coping better from others who may be going through similar experiences. It can help you feel less alone.