Every year, about 7,03,000 people commit suicide, while the number of people who attempt to commit suicide is even higher. This not only affects the families the individual belongs to but also society and, in fact, the country as a whole. Sadly, most of the ones out of the 7,03,000 are the ones that fall between 15 - 29 years of age.

Suicide has been occurring in high-income countries, even in middle- to low-income ones. 

 Sadly, mental health is still taboo for so many societies and individuals It is high time to take mental health seriously, as suicide is a very serious public health problem. It is more necessary for one to seek help in early stages of the building mole inside them than to fall for a step as big as it.

People are found self-poisoning, most of which occurs in the rural agricultural areas in low and middle-income countries. While many others are reported by hanging themselves and firearms.

The Psychological Barriers Faced by Indians 

Stigma/ Taboo

Major reason of the occurrence of the huge number of suicide per year is unawareness of the help to even exist, let alone seeking help. Awareness that mental illness is a real and serious problem in our society is unfortunately so poor. People tend to not even discuss it openly; sadly, only 38 countries report actually having a national suicide prevention strategy. 

Spreading awareness and overcoming the stigma is so much more important than anything else in order to spread awareness and prevent suicides.

False Data 

Sadly, the number of suicides committed worldwide, or even just in India, is much greater than the suicides reported. Therefore, so many people kill themselves without even having anybody known to the people around them. So many out there are suffering without having anybody to talk to, and eventually they are prone to taking this big of a step.

The World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Take on Suicide

WHO considers suicide one of the major public health priorities. WHO aims to spread awareness of mental health, mental health issues, and illness and attempts to make suicide prevention a high priority on the global health agenda. It also focuses on prioritising and supporting countries to develop and strengthen their strategies and public health approaches. 

Suicide still remains a critical issue in the countries of South Asia, calling for comprehensive strategies to prevent it. It is important to consider social-cultural, economic, and mental health aspects. Take an in-depth look at some of the interventions that are being implemented and those that have been proposed as means through which this can be done.

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Public Awareness and Knowledge

Stigma Reduction:

One of the major challenges in suicide prevention is the stigma associated with mental health disorders. Reducing this stigma through campaigns will be very important, as they will encourage individuals to seek help without fearing any form of judgement. This makes public awareness a key tool in changing societal attitudes towards mental illness.

School Programs:

The incorporation of mental health education into the academic syllabus helps students understand emotional well-being and how to manage their emotions. In the case of young people, early intervention can make a great difference as far as cutting down on suicidal tendencies is concerned.

Media Guidelines:

Responsible reporting by media houses minimises suicide contagion risks. Trained media personnel who address such news carefully could reduce copycat suicides dramatically.

Mental Health Services Accessibility

Community Mental Health Programs:

Ensuring increased support through manageable community-based mental health services, makes it possible to reach a larger number of people. These programs help bring psychiatric help near those in need mainly in non-metropolitian areas.

Training of Health Workers:

Most primary healthcare workers are the first ones to handle mental health cases. These would be trained on how to identify and manage both mental illnesses and suicidal behaviours.

Telehealth Services:

The use of Telemedicine helps in reaching out to remote places which have little or no access to psychiatrists. People can get assistance or counseling without moving from their homes from telehealth.

Crisis Intervention Services

Suicide Helpliness:

Setting up and promoting helplines that respond immediately whenever a problem occurs is very important in crisis situations. Some lifelines may be opened for quick assistance if there is no immediate help available.

Crisis Centres:

Walk-in urgent care centers should also be established for instant care provision and counselling. Such emergency rooms are always there for clients who need immediate attention.

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Support for Vulnerable Groups

Youth Programs:

Young people are at greater risk of dying through suicide. The presence of targeted interventions like youth counseling and peer support can make all the difference.

Support for Farmers:

Farmer suicides are usually driven by economic hardships. Therefore, it is important to design some measures that can relieve financial burdens and give emotional assistance to farmers.

Workplace Mental Health Programs:

Creating policies that promote employee wellbeing can help reduce work-related stress and suicide. Hence, giving workers resources and support results in a healthier workplace.

Reach Out For Support

Suicide prevention in South Asian countries calls for concerted efforts as well as compassion among the stakeholders. By addressing various suicidal predisposing factors and executing integrated strategies, significant strides will be made towards reducing suicide rates while also supporting mental health across the region. This requires collaboration among governments, healthcare providers, community organisations, international partners, etc.

For professional care, reach out to a mental health expert at Heart It Out today.