HEALTH | Promoting World Suicide Prevention Awareness Month #CreatingHopeThroughAction

Many people know somebody who has taken their own life or someone who has lost a friend or family member to suicide. Usually, suicide often occurs in a moment of unbearable pain or deep despair. While there is no one cause of suicide, we know there are many factors that increase a person’s risk for suicide, including the loss of a job; serious illness; and financial, criminal, legal, and relationship problems. To make matters worse, there is the stigma that prevents people from speaking up and getting help until it is too late.

Research funded by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) found that almost half of first-year students had thought about suicide at some time in their life, 26.5% had made a suicide plan, and 8.6% had attempted suicide.

In an informal settlement of Lawley, south of Johannesburg, a 32-year-old Russel Makhubela poisoned his two-year-old daughter Phiwokuhle and tried to kill himself at the same time. That morning, before he went out to collect wood to heat their small shack, he had told his wife, Thanduzile, that he was “tired of struggling”.

It is true that, for generations, many societies have encouraged men to be “strong” and not admit they’re struggling. Bathi "Indoda ayikhali" which means that "A man does not cry". It often starts in childhood. We tell boys that 'boys don't cry'. We condition boys from a very young age to not express emotion, because to express emotion is to be 'weak'.

We need more research in South Africa to ensure that suicide prevention strategies are correctly tailored and focused to reach those who are at risk.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. World Suicide Prevention Day is an awareness day observed on 10 September every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world since 2003. Suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death which is influenced by psycho-social, cultural and environmental risk factors that can be prevented through worldwide responses that address these main risk factors. 

One of the main goals of World Suicide Prevention Day is "to increase awareness about suicidal behaviors and how to effectively prevent them. World Suicide Prevention Day is a reminder that society needs consistent and increasing advocacy for mental health resources so that people struggling with mental health disorders can find the help they need. 

This year, the international theme is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’. The theme is intended to be a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and that people’s actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling.

Through action, we can make a difference to someone in their darkest moments - as a member of society, as a child, as a parent, as a friend, as a colleague or as a neighbour. Help is available. Suicide is preventable and effective treatments do exist.

According to The South African Depression and Anxiety Group, you can be helpful to someone who is threatening suicide by;

  • Being direct and talking openly about suicide.
  • Being willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
  • Being non-judgmental. Don't debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or whether feelings are good or bad. Don't lecture on the value of life.
  • Getting involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
  • Resisting the temptation to dare him or her to do it.
  • Not acting shocked. This will put distance between you.
  • Not be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
  • Offering hope by telling them that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance.
  • Asking if you may contact a family member
  • Taking action. Remove means, such as guns or stockpiled pills.
  • Never leaving them alone, get help from persons specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
  • Getting in touch with the police, if necessary 







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Reference
M&G 'Digital interventions help to stem student suicide rates' Accessed 14 September 2021

WH.Gov (2021) 'A Proclamation on World Suicide Prevention Day' Accessed 14 September 2021

Daily Maverick (2021) 'Suicide nation: We are humans, not numbers' Accessed 14 September 2021

Alex Patrick (2021) 'Joburg dad's desperation leads to tragic poisoning of toddler' Sunday Times Accessed 14 September 2021

SADAG "You can do something to help" Accessed 14 September 2021

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