Suicide is defined as intentionally taking one’s life. The word “suicide” comes from the Latin word “suicidium”, which literally means ” to kill oneself “. It usually carries different traits depending on culture, psychology, social or extreme views.
Historically, suicide is considered a criminal offense, a religious taboo and in some cases, an act of honour (eg Kamikaze and suicide bombings).
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death worldwide and rates of completed suicide are higher in males than females. Thus, male deaths represent 79% of all suicides. The rates of non-fatal, attempted suicide are four times more likely in women than men and are more common in young adults/adolescents.
Suicide is the second leading causes of death for individuals.
The most recorded factors for suicide include psychiatric disorder, genetics, substance abuse, religious extremism, family and social situations. Access to weapons and other methods of suicide also increase risk, for example, rates of suicide in homes with guns are greater than homes without them. Mental disorder plays a huge role in the increased risk of suicide most people who take their own life suffer from some types of indoctrination, loss of faith or psychiatric disorder. The mental disorder with the greatest prevalence of suicide risk associated with them includes major depressive disorder, very low emotional intelligence, poor mental strength, wrong belief about heaven and eternity, traumatic stress disorder, eating disorder, personality disorder, etc
Substance abuse rank as the second highest risk factor for suicide cases. Drug abuse contribute to suicide either while taking it or when gotten by self or on self medication. Genetics is assumed to play a role in risk of suicide. A family history of suicide tends to indicate and increase risk of suicide among other family members. Family and socio-economic challenges are also contributing factors to suicide risk eg unemployment, joblessness, failure in relationship(s), marriage or career , fundamentalist belief, financial/bankruptcy, childhood sexual abuse, social isolation, loss of a loved one, and other stressful issues of life.
The warning signs are numerous and a times are hidden or coded to be real. Despite this, in the spirit of Ubuntu, a community spirit is encounter for one to look after the other. Thus, let brotherly love continue and not allow anyone around you fall a victim of suicide. Signs or signals are often evident is situations like change of personality or behavior that might not be obviously related to suicide eg becoming sad unnecessary, more withdrawn, easily and deeply irritated, anxious, tired or apathetic things that used to be fun has lost their savour. More to the signs is the change of sleeper patterns or eating habits that could lead to depression. Watch out when a anyone behaves erratically or recklessly. Recently , statistics have shown that signs of suicide are linked to a sudden or constant talk, writing, posts on social media and even video clips about death, while some young ones get involved in a social game that could demand to prepare and eventually kill oneself. Emotionally, a check is need to confirm the mental strength of any prospect of making poor judgement about life and its issues or doing things that are harmful to one self or other people.
Prevention could involve the followings;
(1) Good problem-solving abilities: Individuals who are able to see problems and figure out effective ways to manage them, resolve conflicts in a non-violent way, or at lower risk.
(2) Strong connections: The stronger the connections to a network of support system like family and friends, the better to open up and avoid been a lone ranger or isolated individual.
(3) Restricted access to lightly lethal means of suicide.
(4) Relatively easy access to appropriate clinical intervention, whether that be psychotherapy, individuals, group, family therapy or medication if indicated.
(5) Effective care for mental, religious and physical health. This also include personal efforts and access to well grounded professionals or skilful leaders in such issue.
(6) The need to believe that in law and religion, its not right to take one’s life.
In summary, suicide is never a solution to any problem in life. The problems of this life can never be solved by taking life/lives. You can never solve a problem with another problem. When your world is dark, seek for useful or suitable help.
As part of safety and security of lives , resolving to be take the right steps to be alive to face what the challenge is or to help another person overcome subviral tendencies is very key in a daily endeavors. Don’t forget, ‘there will be light at the end of the tunnel.”
– Isaac K. Obajemu
ikobaj@gmail.com
