Several recent suicide cases have reminded us that more and more people are considering ending their lives. This concern intensified following the deaths of fashion designer Kate Spade, chef Anthony Bourdain, and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands’ sister, Ines Zorreguieta.

In fact, this issue has long been a concern of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to reports from the agency, suicide rates have continued to rise not only in the United States but also around the world.

As reported by VOA Indonesia on Sunday (June 10, 2018), the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that every 40 seconds, one person in the world dies by suicide.

This figure is equivalent to 800,000 deaths each year caused by suicide.

This alarming data raises an important question: why are suicide rates increasing?

Researchers have proposed various possible explanations for this rise, ranging from social isolation to bullying. Unfortunately, many of these explanations remain speculative.

“It’s very difficult to make broad statements about suicide,” said Dr. Katalin Szanto, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, as quoted by Live Science on Saturday (June 9, 2018).

CDC reports show that suicide cases in the United States are often linked to forms of violence such as bullying, sexual violence, or child abuse.

However, the rates of these forms of violence have not increased significantly over the past two decades.

Suicide Can Be Prevented

The mystery surrounding the rising suicide rate remains unresolved. Although the exact causes are unclear, efforts to stop or prevent suicide are possible.

In a study conducted at Henry Ford Hospital in the United States, doctors and therapists implemented several interventions that successfully reduced suicide rates by 80 percent.

One of the methods used in the 10-year study involved asking depressed patients to imagine death.

While this approach showed significant results, identifying the root causes that drive individuals toward suicide remains crucial. This allows patients to receive appropriate treatment options.

One important finding in the latest CDC report is that more than half of suicide cases occur among individuals who were never diagnosed with a mental illness.

Szanto noted that men may be particularly affected by this issue.

Men Are More Vulnerable to Suicide

“We have a major problem here, especially among men. They often have mental health conditions that go undiagnosed and clearly untreated,” said Szanto.

“Often, depression manifests differently in men compared to women. We tend to be slightly better at clinically diagnosing depression in women,” she added.

This may occur because women are generally more proactive in seeking help, while men often show less obvious signs when they need assistance.

The Impact of Stigma

Susan Lindau, a therapist and professor at the University of Southern California, stated that stigma plays a major role in this issue.

Lindau explained that people are still reluctant to seek help if they perceive stigma surrounding depression and mental illness in general.

“It takes courage for someone to say, ‘I’m not feeling well, and I need help,’” Lindau said.

“That’s because you’re revealing your vulnerability. Our culture doesn’t truly honor vulnerability,” she emphasized.

Mental Illness Is Like a Chronic Disease

Therapists who specialize in suicide studies added that people need to understand depression and other mental illnesses as chronic diseases, similar to diabetes or other long-term conditions.

A similar opinion was expressed by Paul Gionfriddo, President of Mental Health America.

“Suicide is stage four for many people suffering from serious mental illness,” he stated.

“Honestly, it is also the final stage for many people with various chronic illnesses, even those who may not have a diagnosed mental disorder,” Gionfriddo continued.

Depression is the primary cause of suicide. Therefore, individuals experiencing depression should never be left alone.

A person’s life may appear fine on the surface, yet suddenly they may decide to end their life.

Rehabilitation centers can be an appropriate place for individuals suffering from severe depression, as they provide spiritual guidance, emotional support, and structured activities to help patients regain purpose and stability.

Source: Kompas.com
Originally published under the title: “Every 40 Seconds, Someone in the World Dies by Suicide: How Can It Be Prevented?”