Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Myths about suicide

           Some false notions in our society are so prevalent that they sometimes play a crucial and negative role in our psyche if we try to help a suicidal person. 

Here is a list of such false notions:   

1. People talking about suicide will never do it. 
           
            Almost every person who commits or attempts suicide has given some clue or warning.
          
            “I’ll do it very soon.”
            “I have no choice but to end it for once and all.”
            “I don’t know what I’ll do tomorrow.”
            “It’s the only option I have.”
... Such statements even if told casually are matter of concern and may be because of suicidal feelings hidden under the calm and composed person.

            Do not ignore such statements. They may signal the call for help...

2. Anyone who tries to commit suicide must be crazy. 

            Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They must be upset, grief-stricken, depressed or despairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are not necessarily signs of mental illness.

3. If a person is determined to end the life, nothing is going to stop them. 

            Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, wavering until the very last moment between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop. The impulse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.

            A suicidal person can be saved from committing it.

4. People who commit suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help. 

            Studies of suicide victims have shown that more than half had sought medical help in the six months prior to their deaths.

5. If one tries to ask about the suicide, it will give the idea of suicide to that person

            A suicidal person doesn't get this idea from others. 
            In fact, talking about it with someone releases his stress.

            So, don’t hesitate to ask about the suicide if you have any doubt about the depressed person.  

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