Suicide prevention: 9 warning signs

MORE than 700 000 lives are lost annually to suicide.

This is an estimation by the World Health Organisation which says awareness can pave the way for the prevention of suicide.

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World Suicide Prevention Day is commemorated annually on 10 September, with Suicide Prevention Week being observed from 5-11 September.

South Africa’s suicide rate for 2019 was estimated to be 23.5 suicides per 100 000 people, of which more than three quarters were male.

Although these are the most recent official statistics, former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize revealed in 2020 that there had been 1 781 suicide-related deaths in South Africa over a four month period, between 27 March and 27 July 2020.

‘The sad thing is that for every suicide, there are believed to be at least 20 attempted suicides that often go unreported or undocumented,’ said Megan Hosking, psychiatric intake clinician at Netcare Akeso mental health facility.

The theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day addresses one of the myths surrounding suicide; that talking about suicide encourages people to act on suicidal thoughts.

The theme ‘Creating hope through action’ emphasises that suicide should not be treated as a taboo subject.

‘While not every tragic death from self-harm can be stopped, it may be possible to reach more people who can only see one way out, before it’s too late, if our society is better informed.

Creating a deeper understanding of suicide through raising awareness thereof could encourage more people to reach out and talk.’

There are nine potential warning signs that should be taken seriously if noticed:

1. The person is talking about death, harming or killing themselves

2. Expressing feelings of hopelessness and not having hope for the future

3. Expressing being a ‘burden’ to others

4. Seeking out things that may be harmful, such as drugs or weapons

5. Saying goodbye or giving away possessions they value

6. Increased isolation from family members and friends

7. Self-destructive behaviour

8. Previous suicide attempts

9. A sudden sense of calm – this could indicate the person has a plan for suicide and has made peace with their decision.

Being aware of and recognising these signs could help save someone’s life. Responding appropriately to a cry for help may make the difference between life and death for a person contemplating suicide.

What you can do to help someone at risk:

• Talk to the person if you are worried about them – be honest about the fact that you are concerned, but avoid blaming the person for how they are feeling. Listen and take them seriously

• Offer help and support but know your boundaries – if a loved one is suicidal, seek help from a professional, make sure they are in a safe place and have access to professional care

• Respond quickly if there is a crisis – if a person comes forward saying they are feeling suicidal or having suicidal thoughts, it is important to try to understand whether they have made plans for taking their own life and have the means to carry this out. Seek emergency assistance if it is a high-risk situation. LifeLine Zululand offers counselling services. Their offices can be contacted on 035 7892472.