Suicide is irrefutably a permanent conclusion to a temporary hardship that often prematurely takes the life of a person and has a ripple effect on the lives associated. Over 1 lakh potential lives die due to suicide in our country. In 2018, Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code was introduced, where an attempt to suicide is a legal offense. However, as per the statistics provided by NCBR, a 10.0 % proliferation was shown in 2020. The rate of suicides documented all over India majorly contains cases from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh, and these 5 states altogether accounted for 50.1% of total suicides reported.

Apart from this, mental dysfunction has a premier position in the catalysts of suicide showing approximately 90% who die by suicide initially deal with mental irregularities. It is advised that one should reach out for help whenever needed before it’s too late.

As an individual within society, we can contribute to preventing suicide by being mindful and aware of the different warning signs of the same. Some of them include the person concerned has been:

● Through a recent trauma/loss and is grieving;

● Saying that they wish to end their life and are hopeless for the future;

● Speaking up about being trapped or being a burden on others;

● Through extreme mood swings and/or depression and suddenly exhibiting a calm composure.

Once these signs are identified, the best thing is to encourage them to call for help and contact an expert. Meanwhile, support can be provided by:

● Listening to what the person has to say without dismissing them or making them feel like a burden;

● Talking openly about suicide and if they have thought about it or planned something;

● Removing any objects from the reachable environment that one might use to harm oneself.

These minor actions might mean a lot to the person going through such distress. If you are distressed and the above-mentioned thoughts have crossed your mind, please know that help is available, and you must reach out.

The statistics presented in this article alert us to the alarming rate of suicide in India. The data sheds light on how one should focus on the prevention of suicide in the first place. Therefore, one must pay heed to the warning signs an individual presents before they die by suicide and try to ease the suffering of an individual who is displaying suicidal ideation and tendencies.

It’s important to note that seeking help from a mental health professional is the best way to deal with mental illness. The therapeutic intervention provided at the right time can prove to be a saving grace for those who are going through extreme inner turmoil and psychological distress.

Furthermore, one must contribute to the de-stigmatization of mental health and normalize seeking therapy so that people who are suffering from mental disorders know that it’s okay to ask for help and not endure life challenges all by themselves. Increased awareness in society regarding the importance of mental health can help in decreasing the rate of suicide and loss of precious lives full of potential.

Importance of Professional Counseling: A friend or family member may listen to you, but they aren’t professionally, technically qualified or experienced to offer you professional advice. If you wish you can contact us at MindTribe to receive help from our team of expert psychologists.

About MindTribe.in.

MindTribe Founder Dr. Prerna Kohli, India’s eminent psychologist, established the company to leverage the strength of the online to make counseling affordable and accessible to everyone. MindTribe provides counseling, workshops, support groups, forums, and eLearning.

About the Author.

Dr. Prerna Kohli, is an eminent psychologist, a published author, a four-time gold medalist, an awardee by the President of India for her contributions to Mental Health, and the founder of MindTribe.in. You can learn more about her by clicking here www.drprernakohli.in

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MindTribe.in, the Founders, or management team.

Acknowledgement: All images used are open source and from Unsplash.