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Suicide - A senseless tragedy
It is hard to imagine the human potential that is lost by the thousands of people who take their own lives every year. For people in the age category 15 - 24, suicide rates have virtually tripled in the past three decades, especially amongst males. In fact, suicide has become the second leading cause of death among students. This could be attributed to the fact that adolescence and young adulthood mark the period of the life cycle when impulsive, risk-taking behaviour is most common, and when substance abuse and many mental illnesses first emerge.
Due to hormonal changes, women seem to be more at risk from age 40 - 54. The rates also increase for men over 65 and for women over 75. In South Africa studies have also shown a steady increase in the number of suicides in the black community, especially amongst the youth. Many social and economic factors - such as men and women's changing roles, rising divorce rates, increased competition for jobs and resources, and increased geographic mobility weakening individual's social supports have been implicated in this increase.
Suicide, like so much else in psychiatry, tends to run in families. What it is exactly that is being transmitted from one generation to the next is not really known, but the most probable explanation is that it is a combination of genes for a psychiatric disorder, usually depression and substance abuse disorders, genes for suicide, and genes for certain personality traits. Many studies have implicated a dysfunction of the neurotransmitters or "chemical messengers" serotonin and dopamine in suicide and the depressive disorders. Among all people who commit suicide, at least two-thirds have suffered from a depressive or manic-depressive illness. In fact, one out of every five people with manic depressive disorder, also known as bipolar disorder, will die from suicide.
There are also psychological factors implicated, for example, a family member who has committed suicide may serve as a role model to identify with and the option of suicide may then become one possible "solution" to intolerable psychological pain. The theory is that these together give a person a predisposition to committing suicide, which can then be triggered in a variety of ways.
Therefore people with a history of suicide and/or mental illness in the family are particularly at risk for suicide. Another risk factor is medical illness, especially in the elderly community, although with the drastic increase in the number of AIDS cases, this risk factor has spread to the younger age groups, with studies showing that a person with AIDS is between 20 and 36 times more likely to commit suicide. Alcoholism and drug abuse are also huge warning signs, with 20% of suicide victims under the age of 61 having been found to have used cocaine immediately prior to death. Stressful jobs are another risk factor, for example, more police die by suicide every year than by any other cause of death in the line of duty, including homicide. It has also been found that suicide is the cause of death for 3% of male doctors and 6% of female doctors, the equivalent of one medical school class, every year.
Among women, for whom the rate of suicide attempts is 4 times higher than for men, suicide is more common amongst the single, recently separated, divorced or widowed. So whereas for men the precipitating factor is often financial ruin, for women it is more often interpersonal losses or crises in significant social or family relationships. 60 - 80 percent of women experience transient depression, and 10 - 15 % develop clinical depression during the postpartum period.
The Depression and Anxiety Support Group, a partnership between the public, sufferers of mental illness, their families and friends, business and the medical community, through increasing awareness about the risk factors for suicide, hopes to prevent this needless tragedy in communities throughout South Africa. For more information, telephone counselling - for both sufferers of mental illness and survivors of suicide, or referrals to mental health professionals or support groups around the country, the Depression and Anxiety Support Group can be contacted, Mondays to Fridays, between 8am and 7pm, and on Saturdays, from 8am to 5pm, on (011) 783 - 1474/6.
If someone you know talks about suicide, take it seriously. 75 percent of all suicide victims give some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member. Rather than trying to argue them out of it, be willing to listen. Let the person know you are trying to understand and that they are not alone. Social support is one of the best protective mechanisms against suicide. Tell them that suicidal feelings are temporary and that their depression can be treated, and their problems can be solved. Hopelessness, more than depression, predicts suicide. People who are suicidal don't want to die: they simply want to end their pain. When they see another way to end the pain, they take it. People kill themselves when they feel there is no alternate way. Always seek professional help. According to cognitive-behavioural therapist Kevin Bolon: “Let them talk and sit through the silences. The more they discharge or unburden themselves, the less impetus they have to do anything.” In an acute crisis, take the person to an emergency room. Do not leave them alone until help is available and remove from the vicinity of the suicidal person any firearms, razors, scissors or anything that could be used in an attempt. Once stabilized, it is important to follow up on treatment. Suicidal patients are often hesitant to seek help and may run away after initial contact unless there is support for their continuing. This is essential, as previous attempts are the biggest predictor of further attempts. |
Suicide Crisis Line Dr Reddy's Help Line Akeso psychiatric reponse unit
If you are a journalist writing a story contact Cassey on 011 262 6396.
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