Federation for Mental Health focuses on suicide for Mental Health Awareness Month.
Every October the world prioritises one of the most prevalent and apparent, yet not taking it as seriously as it should, issue of mental health. The South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) has been hard at work to ensure that the public is aware and educated on matters related to mental health.
According to SAFMH, the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) has chosen to focus on the issue of suicide, and they will be supporting this theme for its annual October Mental Health Awareness campaign.
In a statement, the SAFMH said that suicide is a major public health issue that affects the lives of all people. “From different social classes to different genders, to the ones who attempt suicide, the ones who complete it and the ones left behind, the enormity of its effects reverberate throughout society.”
Like many other mental health challenges that people deal with, suicide faces its own stigmas. SAFMH stated that people do not view suicide as being part of an illness, but rather often as a selfish act.
The statement continued, “We wish to strongly advocate that this is not the case and to encourage members of the public to become educated about suicide, what the risk factors are, what the warning signs are that someone might be thinking about taking their own life, and what they can do to help.”
There is a big call on the government and civil society from SAFMH to take mental health more seriously. They are pleading with them to take the necessary steps to give education and create cohesive mental health strategy, policy or action plan on suicide.
They believe that this will help people engage in prevention and early intervention tactics, as well as address those who have attempted to take their lives and the aftermath of such an act. SAFMH said once the stigma of suicide is removed, those that think about committing it will become open to talking about it and seeking help.
The SAFMH is urging the public who are thinking about suicide to seek help. They acknowledge that it is a difficult task to do but it becomes easier when you decide to talk to with someone who cares. “Take a friend or family member into your confidence and tell them what you are feeling or consult a professional.”
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