Death by suicide : Psychological perspective

The recent death of the young actor, Sushant Singh Rajput, has sparked conversations all over social media platforms regarding the need and the importance to address one of the pressing concern, suicide. The actor was found dead in his home in Mumbai on Sunday afternoon.

His demise was confirmed by his family members and as per the initial report by the Mumbai Police, the death was a suicide, and the investigation is in progress. As per the post-mortem report,  the provisional cause of death was asphyxia which was caused due to hanging. There have been statements stating that the actor was suffering from depression and has been undergoing treatment for the same.

Suicide is a product of mental illness, most often a result of depression or mental illness. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young adults worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Furthermore, for each suicide, there are more than 20 suicide attempts. The rates so found is only the tip of the iceberg, the attempted rates are much more higher and most of it goes unnoticed. As per the Lancet Research[1], it was found that India's proportional contribution to global suicide deaths is high and increasing, accounting for a large proportion of all suicide deaths globally.[2]

This article will examine the need to address the growing concern of mental health among the youth and how to prevent the same through proper help.

INSIDE THE MIND OF A SUICIDAL PERSON

One of the most common causes of suicide is depression. Depression is characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that one normally enjoys, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for at least two weeks. It might include a change in appetite; sleeping more or less; anxiety; reduced concentration; indecisiveness; restlessness; lack of energy; difficulty with concentration; hopelessness about future, thoughts of suicide etc.

Depression can be triggered by biological or psychological or even social factors. The loss of a loved one or a disappointment may trigger a depression; past losses, perhaps not fully acknowledged, often make someone more vulnerable to depression. Even the environment one’s living in can be considered as a factor.

Biologically, there have been researchers linking the presence of certain chemical GABA in the individual who is dealing with depression and have committed suicide.[3]But the researchers are not sure how this particular chemical can lead to depression and suicide. Few other studies have shown, the brains of people who exhibit suicidal be­haviors have reduced serotonin activity.

Apart from depression, there can be other mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, or other illnesses that produce psychosis might be hearing voices that command them to kill themselves. can cause death by suicide.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?

Most experts claim the underlying cause is a sense of hopelessness and a sense of fear which might result in a decision to end one’s life. This feeling might be sudden or slow and gradual growth. This sense of hopelessness drives them to take their own life. 

Most people who are dealing with such an issue might not be aware of how they can seek help. If proper guidance is given to them, such acts can be prevented. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a difference in their lives and lead them to a good quality of life. Mental illness is not limited to any specific age group or gender, it can be seen in any person irrespective of the status or the lifestyle of any person. When this illness is left without proper care and attention, just like any other disease, it can get worsen and negatively impact one’s life. 

It is high time we debunk the myths that have been lying around suicide. Such as, “being depressed or suicidal is a phase and it is not real” and “People who talk about it won't do it.”; those comments try to take out the seriousness lying behind such issues and people must be educated about mental health and the need to address it just like your physical health. Mental health is imperative at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Like any other ordinary persons, celebrities as well are prone to this illness that is thrown at them by life. Their mental health struggles are often not revealed to the public as it creates unnecessary public speculation. One such instance is when the beloved actor and comedian Robin Williams took his own life, the public was devastated. Williams battled depression for much of his life and three months before his death was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

HOW TO SEEK FOR HELP?

If someone is expressing their thoughts about being alone or losing hope in the world or having suicidal thoughts, you need to take it seriously and instil a sense of hope in them and make them feel needed. Let them know that they can rely on you. But at the same time, it is equally important to convey to the person to seek proper guidance from trained therapists in this field. Most importantly, empathies and be gentle to the person sharing their problem. 

There are a plethora of helpline numbers in which one can resort to when they feel distressed about their mental health. There are independent NGOs as well as government initiatives to take care of pf such problem. 

If you are in distress or having suicidal thoughts, contact 91-9820466726  for support and assistance from a trained counsellor.  Aasra is an NGO working in the field of crisis intervention/areas of emotional and mental health since 1960. They provide 24*7 helpline to those in distress. 

They have also gathered an all India directory of help line numbers in their website for those in need. http://www.aasra.info/

CONCLUSION

Studies show that COVID-19 pandemic will lead to increased rates of mental health problemsas people are isolated from one another. It should be emphasized that by"social distancing" refers to "physical distance between people, not social distance." As even during lockdown it is important to keep checking with other people of their well-being and daily lives. Furthermore, the economic conditions cause many people depression and anxiety due to loss of employment and financial stressors, which are well-recognized risk factors for suicide.[4]These are unprecedented times. The pandemic can cause suffering and expose people to mental health problems and suicidal behavior. Mental health consequences are likely to be present for longer and peak later than the actual pandemic.[5]Suicide prevention is Everybody’s Responsibility, Pay attention to your loved ones and help them when in need.

DISCLAMIER: The information mentioned on the following article is based on the information that has been issued by various news agencies up till 15th of June,2020. It is not the intention of the author to trigger any person or create a false statement regarding this pressing issue. The information is gathered from various accredited websites containing experts opinion on this matter. Mental Health Matters!

• [1]https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(18)30138-5/fulltext