Suicide prevention day is September 14th and I would like to recognize the day by talking about a few of the myths and truths about suicide. In most suicides, the person has some type of depression and anxiety or unrecognized mental health disorder.
Myth: Depression is a weakness. The truth is that depression arises from physical problems that cause mental distress for the depressed person. It is beyond their control, they cannot just snap out of it.
Myth: Depression only occurs in older adults. While the highest rates of suicide are among adults older than 65, children as young as 8 or 9 years old can suffer from depression and teen suicide rates are a large problem. The teen does not have to be chronically depressed to be at risk for suicide. Just feeling blue for a couple of weeks can lead teens to impulsive suicide attempts.
Myth: Depression affects only white middle class. Depression knows no racial or ethnic boundaries. In fact, the rates of suicide amount African American and Latinos has increased dramatically in the last 2 decades.
Myth: You can always tell when someone is depressed, or, a depressed person is always sad. Depressed persons may initially try very hard to cover up their depression because of the perceived stigma involved with mental illness. As the depressed person becomes more overwhelmed they may become withdrawn, irritable, turn to drugs or alcohol, exhibit fatigue, restlessness, racing thoughts, altered sleep patterns, recklessness, and physical symptoms such as chest pain or rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, headaches, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Myth: Depressed people do not talk about killing themselves, or, asking the depressed person about suicide will cause them to commit suicide. The depressed person who is talking about suicide does not want to end their life, they want to end the extreme pain that they are facing. Talking to them about their thoughts can help. Encourage them to make an appointment with their family doctor and offer to go with them (often this is a more appealing first step than the mention of seeing a mental health professional). The family physician can begin the assessment process and make proper referrals or arrange for emergency care.
Myth: There is nothing you can do to help a suicidal person. Just listening and being a lifeline may be the most important thing that you can do. Take their concerns seriously. Arrange to stay with the person until they can be helped by a responsible adult or arrange for someone to stay with them. Never keep the person’s thoughts of death a secret even if asked to do so.
These are only a few of the myths about suicide. There is no stigma in asking for help. You will no be labeled crazy. Depression is an illness that has physical causes; the manifestations and symptoms are mental. Suicide hotlines are available 24 hours per day to help persons thinking of suicide. Check your local phone book for numbers, or call 1-800-273- 8255 to talk with a suicide prevention counselor. There is help for persons with depression, but death is not the answer.
Please note: The information in this article is not to be followed as
medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with your physician
or primary health practitioner for information regarding your own personal
health and necessary treatments.
