Suicides: Causes, Effects & How to Identify Signs?

SUICIDE

Many religions did or do believe or connote suicide to a sin. Their headstone also would be kept differently or separate and different traditions throughout the world followed some or the other practice for it. Some or the other mental issue was indicated which even today it is apparent. Sadly even research is not being done as there is no proper information.

Information on suicide would be sourced from either the survivor or their families and friends which would not be definite. Another, more technical source was the police who would not report it suicide. Instead would write accidental death by whatever means it happened.

Like death by overdose, falling, drowning and so on. So no information as such would be properly gathered. Suicide was not a psychological disorder until 1960s. Suicide does not see fame, name, cast, creed, sex and so on. We also don’t use the word ”commit” because then we are insinuating that it’s a crime.

Emile Durkheim who was a French sociologist said suicide is nothing but the society’s inability to aid or help that particular individual. It fails him or her.

4 main Types of suicide:-

1. Egoistic- when you feel cut off from society

2. Altruistic – when you do it for the good of society

3. Anomic – when there is a break down of social equilibrium or reaction to a sudden crisis

4. Fatalistic- societal pressure, overregulation in society.

Other types of suicide:

According to a research, men choose more lethal means for suicide than women. It might be important to get familiarized with some other types of suicide to get some insights from a patternistic and socialistic point of view. They are as follows:

1. Copy Cat- when one attempts the other imitates

2. Anniversary- a close friend or a family member attempts at their loved ones death anniversary.

3. Familicide- the whole family attempts suicide, decision taken by one and others follow or killed by the one who decides.

4. Suicide Pact- eg couples

5. Mass Suicide- group suicide

6. Cult- instructed or influenced by the leader

7. Forced- molestation, rape or abatement.

8. Cyber Suicide- dare/ false post- using digital media

9. Murder Suicide- person kills someone and attempts suicide so as not the face the charges.

Common causes

There are innumerable causes but these mentioned are the most common and this is something one should always be wary, making sure mental health at all times is taken care of. The causes are as follows:

1. Loss of relationship/ academic failure

2. Loneliness

3. Pain (physical or psychological)

4. Family history

5. Form of Punishment

Identifying Signs

Probably the most difficult thing is to observe signs and have a proactive approach towards suicide. Sadly, these signs are so common, universal and pervasive among different domains that having the discriminative knowledge for it is a huge task. Nonetheless, these signs should be kept in mind by everyone. They are:

– Change in mood
– Ideation of death
– Anger
– Hopelessness
– Restlessness
– Anxiety/ withdrawal
– Purposeless attitude about life and things around
– Risky behavior
– Visiting and calling on loved ones
– Giving away things
– Setting things in order before going (example arranging room)
– Writing a will
– Substance abuse

Online Help and Suicide

Often we might find ourselves as a volunteer or as a counsellor on certain help lines. The skill and knowledge of what can be done in a given scenario can literally save a life. These points can help to know what can be done. Often it can be lethal not knowing what to do and being guilty conscious. They are as follows:

– Pick the call after 2 rings as it reduces panic.

– Sit down. Be comfortable to instil comfort.

– Start with a warm greeting and say you are a counselor.

– Use a separate device

– Ask name and location. Where they are, what they are doing and so on. Gauge the intensity of such answers carefully. Give your own false name. Don’t share your location.

– Don’t give false hope

– Try to bring them in public space or make that individual hand over the phone to someone in the house or around.

– No WhatsApp Call or text. Make silly excuses if they insist. Your own personal privacy is very essential.

– Have pen and paper to write down details

– Call 103 immediately after putting down the phone. It’s not your job to go there.

– Be available to people in general around you. Be aware at times when people try to give hints as they want to meet or leave.

– If working through an application or agency or engaged in teletherapy then know the policies in which they function and act accordingly.

– DO NOT TRY TO TALK IT OUT. Just LISTEN and GET INFO. Don’t panic or criticise. Avoid playing it too cool as well. According to law a genuine failure to help is a crime. That’s why respect your privacy. If they see texts and pictures and WhatsApp messages then everything will be dissected and made public and so on.

– Call a helpline if you don’t know what to do.

When Suicide is attempted what to do?

– Call emergency

– Notify and talk to family

– Follow up

– Don’t counsel victim

– Keep the record of the notes with the client

– Inform your superior

What to do when an attempt is successful?

As tragic it may sound or be, we might find ourselves plummeting to the hard realities that not every attempt is going to be unsuccessful. A know how on the points mentioned below will be something would make a counsellor be certain of their actions. They are:

– Call supervisor

– Choose to attend funeral with permission

– Talk to family

– Organize a service if there is no one else

– Talk to people who are left behind

– As a self-care routine don’t take clients till you are balanced. Talk to your family, friends and colleagues

– Have acceptance and faith in God or higher reality.