Breaking the Stigma: Why Discussing Suicide is Vital for Mental Health Awareness

Suicide is one of those subjects that many of us feel uncomfortable discussing. However, we must concern about this. According to the World Health Organization, almost 1 million people kill themselves every year. That is more than the number that die in homicides and war combined. What is mean by suicide? Suicide occurs when a person ends their life. Often, victims are blamed. Their friends, families, and communities are left devastated. Do you all think of suicide when you’re over stress? If you're the one feeling suicidal, you may be afraid that you'll be judged or labeled "crazy" if you open up.

Or maybe you're just convinced that no one could possibly understand. It's not much easier for concerned friends and family members, who may hesitate to speak up 1. What are suicidal thoughts and suicide?

Suicidal thoughts are thoughts about hurting yourself or taking your own life. Suicide is the act of taking your own life. Suicidal thoughts may include:
Feeling trapped or hopeless and like you need an escape
Feeling like it is too painful, overwhelming, or sad to continue living Focusing on death, dying, or violence
Feeling that friends and family would be better off without you A person who is suicidal may:
Make statements such as, “I wish I were dead,” or “I wish I had never been born” Think about or actually find ways to commit suicide, such as buying a gun Withdraw from friends, family, and social situations

Say goodbyes to family and friends, as if they don’t expect to see them again Abuse alcohol or drugs, or engage in other risky behaviors
Have personality changes or mood swings

2. What causes suicidal thoughts?
Suicidal thoughts can happen to anyone – young and old, male and female – for a number of reasons. Usually, suicidal thoughts occur when a person is in intense emotional pain and doesn’t see a way out. The things that cause this type of pain are different for everyone. Even though it may feel like your pain will never end, know that thoughts of suicide often are caused by a treatable health problem, such as depression. Depression is a serious medical condition that changes the chemicals in your brain and affects your moods, thoughts, and emotions. It can make it hard or even impossible for you to feel happy, remember good times, or see the solutions to your problems. Even if you have been treated for depression in the past, you may need to try other treatments before finding the one that works best for you.

3. Suicide prevention
- Promise not to do anything right now
Even though you’re in a lot of pain right now, give yourself some distance between thoughts and action. Make a promise to yourself: "I will wait 24 hours and won't do anything drastic during that time." Or, wait a week. Thoughts and actions are two different things—your suicidal thoughts do not have to become a reality. There’s is no deadline, no one pushing you to act on these thoughts immediately. Wait. Wait and put some distance between your suicidal thoughts and suicidal action.

- Take hope—people DO get through this
Even people who feel as badly as you are feeling now manage to survive these feelings. Take hope in this. There is a very good chance that you are going to live through these feelings, no matter how much self-loathing, hopelessness, or isolation you are currently experiencing. Just give yourself the time needed and don’t try to go it alone. - Don’t keep these suicidal feelings to yourself

Many of us have found that the first step to coping with suicidal thoughts and feelings is to share them with someone we trust. It may be a friend, a therapist, a member of the clergy, a teacher, a family doctor, a coach, or an experienced counselor at the end of a helpline. Find someone you trust and let them know how bad things are. Don’t let fear, shame, or embarrassment prevent you from seeking help. Just talking about how you got to this point in your life can release a lot of the pressure that’s building up and help you find a way to cope.

Step 1: Define the problem
Step 2: Identify risk and protective factors
Step 3: Develop and test prevention strategies
Step 4: Ensure widespread adoption
Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds  resources for coping with pain.
Suicide is NEVER the answer, getting help is the answer.