SUICIDE INTERVENTION; AN EMPATHIC APPROACH INTRODUCTION
‘I was alone, you know...I hadn’t been to school and at one point it just became completely unbearable how bad I felt, and I got to the medicine cabinet and got out a big huge bottle of aspirin and poured half into a glass and drank it and then called for help’.
The above was the story of a young school boy struggling with a mind that wanted to take its own life (as narrated in Jesse Berring’s, suicidal). This simple yet intense narration represents what is playing out in the minds of many young and aging people and it also depicts the struggles several many people go or are going through right now. This type of behavior is obviously desperate (call for help) and highly lethal. Suicidal behaviors are fast becoming a norm and the reason for this, can be traced to several factors including social, economic, behavioral, emotional and physiological factors amongst many others.
MISCONCEPTIONS OF SUICIDAL VICTIMS
Suicide is a self defeating behavior, which is not just a personal but becoming a global national concern. The topic of suicide used to be a topic untouched or a subject of taboo due to the sensitive nature of the subject coupled with the religious and cultural sentiments surrounding it. A person that commits suicide is often disregarded and perceived as selfish, self centered or attention seeking in some way and the families often stigmatized. The families would prefer to hide the mode of death so as to avoid stigmatization. Over the years, with the increase in cases of suicides, people are beginning to talk about their struggles. Survivors and change makers in modern societies are now taking it upon themselves to provide support to people with suicidal tendencies. Even though this initiatives have created some form of awareness and acceptance, its pertinent to have more hands on deck so as to effect positive outcomes.

In many cases suicide is an impulsive act. The suicide mind is highly controlling and can lead to a state of torment and the act if the individual doesn’t get an immediate help. In few other cases, the person may have planned his own exit waiting for a perfect opportunity to present itself.
Most suicidal people don’t want to die; their actions are desperate plea for help. They often call for help just before or after the action. Jesse Berring, (who’s attempted suicide on occasions), said that ‘no one wants to live more than the suicidal person, just not under their present predicament (suicidal mindset.
A person who talks about suicide may be given a warning sign. The majority of people who commits suicide have once tried before.
Studies shows that most suicidal persons are not mentally ill, they are overwhelmingly sad and distressed and depressed not necessarily mentally ill. This was observed from the studies of suicide notes of many victims.
Types of suicides
Suicide behaviors are broken into the following
1. Suicidal threats is an indication that a person is thinking of suicide but can’t make up his mind
2. A suicide attempt includes an dangerous action taken by a person towards himself that will lead
to death if not interrupted.
3. Suicide gesture is a cry for help. The individual carefully thinks out the ways in which he may be
rescued from his suicide attempt. Someone who is experiencing threats of suicide and doesn’t want it to happen may cry for help by posting their fears on social media or by announcing to their families their need for help with their mental health. His plan may include a call to someone to say that he has just taken an overdose of some medicine
4. Actual or completed suicide
The disturbing rising rate of suicide
Suicide is the second cause of death after road accidents and even though we didn’t see this as a cause for alarm, it’s apparent we are gradually losing our brightest and productive population to this concern.

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death worldwide. It resulted in about 828,000 deaths globally in 2015.
We can’t but be alarmed by the rapidly rising rate of suicide currently going on around major communities in Nigeria. The most disturbing is that these cases are underreported. Daily, there are many crude reports on social media but these cases scarcely find their way to the data base.
Before our youths become extinct by these heavy yet unattended ‘pandemic’, let’s address it and amplify the voice.
Nigeria has the highest suicides rate in Africa. This is not putting in consideration the fact that suicide cases are grossly underreported in Nigeria as with many African countries. A study recently conducted shows that young people, between the age of 25-34 commits more suicide, either from self poisoning (pesticide called sniper), by drowning or by hanging. It’s also been observed that more male complete suicide than female
Suicide is the intentional taking of one’s own life. The risk factors for suicide can be underlying or unresolved depression, bipolar, chronic fatigue, substance or/and alcohol use.
Rates of completed suicides are generally higher among men than women. The number of attempts is way more than actual suicides. In the western world, attempts are more common among young people and female.
Causes of suicide
There are very many cases where it is emotions that drive suicide, intense emotions such as loss of a loved one or possession, harassment or bullying, traumatic experiences, physical or emotional pain, relationship problems, and anxiety from financial or academic difficulties. Those who have previously attempted suicide are at higher risk for future attempts.
The causes of suicide or potential suicide amongst many factors can be categorized in;
Most people who commit suicide give clues that they are experiencing serious difficulties. Some of these clues are related to human emotions and a change in their life pattern or behavioral pattern or even

cognitive reasoning. Eg someone who is normally coherent and prolific in speech, suddenly blabs and is lost in thoughts while speaking.
1. Psychosocial factors.
 Such as hopelessness.
 loss of pleasure in life
 depression, mods of dadness, despair and discouragement
 decreased ability to think
 diminished physical ability
 guilt
 eating and sleeping disorders
 self condemnation
 anxiousness,
 agitation,
 rigid thinking,
 rumination,
 Thought suppression and poor coping skills increases the risks of suicide.
 In older adults, the perception of being a burden to others. Those who were never married or
those facing infertility, loss of a job or inability to get a job.
2. Personality factors; especially high level of neuroticism and introvertedness has been
associated with suicide.
3. Social isolation and lack of support has been associated with an increased risk of suicide.
4. Poverty is a factor.
5. Substance misuse and acute intoxication when combined with personal grief, the risk of suicide
is increased
6. The internet and social media plays a huge role in instigating emotional struggles such as
bullying and harassment, perceptions
Suicide attempt, suicide behavior, suicidal thoughts or ideation and actual suicides are traumatic experiences for the person who experiences it and their loved ones; and the response to trauma or a traumatic situation differs with each and every individual.

Common methods of suicide
The most common methods of suicide is self poisoning (pesticide called sniper is most popular in this part of the world), hanging, drowning, and firearms (e.g. gun,) etc
Depression as a major cause of suicide amongst young people.
Oh the tricks our minds play on us when we are easy emotional prey. Depression is one of the leading causes of suicide amongst young people. Depression is characterized by feelings of hopelessness, spiritless, loss of essence, inability to dream, loss of pleasure and courage. In many cases, this category of mental health can adversely affect the physical health, thereby causing a physical health breakdown. A chronic depressed person can be bedridden in worry, overwhelmed in sadness and may exhibit certain inabilities like the inability to feel pleasure irrespective of what’s happening around them. A good night sleep, a healthy appetite and a libido are luxuries a depressed person cannot afford.
According to USA mental health first aid, depression and anxiety are caused by the following
1. Intense loss/traumatic experience. It could be Loss of a loved one, a pet, a relationship and life investment, loss of a job or opportunity. Everyone has had their fair share of losses and depression but when it impacts a person’s ability to function, it’s called depression.
2. Early child hood trauma. Repressed and unresolved childhood trauma can surface in the future bringing about depression and anxiety.
3. Persisting medical conditions like chronic illnesses, undiagnosed infections, infertility etc can be a trigger for depression.
4. Drug/alcohol misuse or abuse
In first aid, early intervention is important. The sooner someone gets help for their depressive state, the higher the chances of suicide prevention.
Signs and symptoms of depression

The signs are categorized into the following
1. Physical symptoms. Mental fatigue, lack of energy, sleeping too much or too little, overeating or loss of appetite, constipation, weight loss or gain, headaches, irregular menstrual cycle, loss of sexual desire, unexplained aches and pain.
2. Behavioral symptoms; crying spells, withdrawal from others, neglect of responsibilities, loss of interest in personal appearance, loss of motivation, , slow movement, use of drug or alcohol, inability to concentrate, indecision, confusion, , thoughts of hurting oneself and suicide.
One of the major crises resulting from unresolved depression is suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Warning signs of suicide.
A person may make statements or show through his behavior that he is suicidal.
1. Giving away treasured possession
2. The person’s actions or behavior may suddenly change greatly. Eg a thrifty person begins to
spend more than he earns
3. Withdrawal from people
4. Threatening to hurt or kill oneself
5. Seeking access to means e.g. guns , knife, pills
6. Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
7. Feeling hopeless or worthless
8. Feeling worthless or lack of purpose
9. Reckless behaviors or engaging in risky activities
10. Describing feeling trapped, stuck
11. Expressing things like “I’m tired, I’m going away, I wish I were dead, my life is over, I can’t go on
any longer, I will kill myself”
12. Increasing alcohol or drug use
13. Withdrawal from family friends or society
14. Demonstrating rage or anger or seeking revenge
15. depressed mood. Feels low, sad, gloomy
16. Facial expression may be blank, old or sad

17. He/she may express self reproach, self depreciation
18. Exhibiting Tearfulness and trembling
19. Change in appearance. Often looking unkept and unconcerned. Eg neglect of hygiene,
20. Bodily movement slowed, decrease in gestures and bent posture.
21. Change in work habits. Eg. Lowered quality/quantity, inconsistent wirlk oace, lack of interest in
work.
22. Family problems eg separation or divorce, difficulties with spouse, child rearing problems, loss
of self control, social isolation, financial problems, debts
23. Loss of interest in people, loss of interest in recreational activities. he/she may start avoiding
family and friends

TO BE CONTINUED

Comfort Alikwe is a MENTAL HEALTH counselor and social worker. She is a blogger, an author of several books and a coach.
She is the founder of SUICIDE CALL INITIATIVE.
relationshipacademy1@gmail.com
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