Suicide is a major public health challenge with far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences. According to the World Health Organization, someone loses their life to suicide every 40 seconds somewhere in the world – amounting to more than 700,000 suicides a year worldwide.
This staggering statistic reminds us of the urgent need for awareness, understanding, and action. Everyone is encouraged to raise awareness and play a part in creating a world with fewer suicides by instilling hope in the community.
Preventing suicide involves more than crisis interventions – it also entails building resilience and protective factors such as fostering strong social connections, providing easy access to mental healthcare, developing healthy coping skills, and partaking in self-care practices to empower both individuals and communities.
Social connections
Strong social connections are the cornerstone of mental well-being. Building and maintaining meaningful relationships can ultimately provide individuals with emotional support, a sense of belonging, and a safety net during challenging times.
Being in a community that fosters a sense of unity and belonging can serve as a form of long-term protection against suicide. When individuals feel connected to others, they are more likely to seek help when needed and offer support in return during times of crisis.
Coping skills
Coping skills encompass emotional-regulation techniques that enable individuals to effectively manage stress, anxiety, and depression. These include mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation exercises.
Nurturing productive problem-solving skills also empowers individuals to tackle life’s challenges head-on. As a result, feelings of hopelessness can be reduced, and individuals will be motivated to try to face their problems, find solutions, and/or seek counsel.
Self-care
A healthy body is linked to a healthy mind. By encouraging individuals to adopt self-care practices that work for them, their mental and emotional well-being can be optimised, which in turn reduces the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve your mental-physical health by releasing happy hormones (dopamine and serotonin). These activities include regular exercise, healthy eating, getting adequate sleep, engaging in hobbies, and managing stress effectively.
All of these can ultimately contribute to overall resilience.
Do note that self-care looks different for everyone; what works for you may not work for someone else and vice-versa. Nonetheless, small acts in your daily life can have a big impact on your well-being.
In conclusion, suicide prevention is a multifaceted endeavour that requires a holistic approach. If you – or someone you know – are struggling with suicidal thoughts, know that you are not alone. Reach out to friends, family, or free helplines available in Malaysia to get the support you need.
This article was written by DOC2US, a mobile application that allows you to talk to a doctor or any healthcare professionals via text chat at any time and from anywhere.