Suicide Myths, Risk Factors and Prevention

"No matter how long the storm, the sun always shines again through the clouds."  -Khalil gibran

We all know someone who in a moment of great suffering has thought about commit suicide. Many of us know people who have tried. Some even have a direct suicide-related experience.

Suicide is the leading cause of unnatural death. It is even more common than traffic accidents. Despite its great impact on people and its dire consequences, talking about suicide remains a Taboo subject in today's society.

Suicide is a serious social and health problem that affects us all. The suicide prevention it begins by giving support to people who are suffering. Respecting their feelings and creating a warm climate of emotional relief.

Understand pain and to allow a person to express themselves freely, without judgment, is to offer them the necessary support. Is to make you feel that you are not alone.

Suicide is a radical solution to psychologically intolerable suffering. The person decides to end his life after being surpassed in resources and in his ability to cope, after not seeing any way out of his suffering.

This person considers that his suffering will not stop (hopelessness) and that the relatives will get over your loss. They even come to believe that it is a favor that you do to loved ones.

Myths about the person with suicidal ideation

"Asking a person if they are thinking about committing suicide can prompt them to do so"

It is proven that asking and talking to the person about their suicidal thoughts reduces risk to commit the act. It also helps to relieve tension.

It is recommended to ask and listen Without judgment, in a warm and calm way. This may be the only opportunity to help you. Discussing or minimizing these ideas is the wrong attitude and suggests that we are not concerned..

"The person who wants to commit suicide does not say so"

Fake. Many people clearly state their intentions and others hint at their purposes.

It's very important spot these risk signs and take any threat of self-harm seriously.

It is better to intervene even if the threat is not real, than not to intervene and the threat is real. Therefore, these verbalizations should not be considered manipulations or blackmail and never the person should be challenged to do it.

“Only people with serious problems commit suicide. Children / adolescents do not commit suicide "

Suicide is multi-causal. Many problems that may seem trivial to adults, may seem catastrophic to children. They can experience it as highly harmful. Attached to features of impulsiveness can lead to suicide.

For this reason, it is recommended that we do not underestimate the pain they may suffer..

"He who commits suicide is going through a depression"

Although it is a risk factor, not all people who commit suicide suffer from depression or vice versa.

Suicide cannot be prevented. It happens on impulse "

Before committing a suicide attempt, most people show a series of symptoms. If we detect them in time we can avoid and help the person.

"He who tries to commit suicide is a coward or a brave man"

People who attempt suicide are neither cowards nor brave. They are people who suffer.

"The tendency to suicide is hereditary"

It is not. They learn to see suicide as a definitive solution when problems overwhelm us just like the family member did.

Suicide risk factors

The more risk factors that occur in the same person, the greater the probability of suicide..

1. Previous attempts. The more numbers and the more serious, the greater the risk of suicide. The greater degree of concealment is also related to greater risk.

2. Suicidal thoughts. Suicide is thought of as the only way out of suffering.

3. Communication problems and poor social skills.

4. Presence of any psychopathology: Depression. Bipolar disorder. Borderline personality disorder. Schizophrenia

5. Presence of dysfunctional behaviors: Substance abuse. Antisocial behavior. Physical self-harm. Personal self-demand. Feelings of personal failure or inferiority. Feeling a burden. Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Impulsiveness. Gender nonconformity. Sexual abuse Abuse.

6. Family risk factors: Suicide history. Drug or alcohol use. Frequent fights. Parental psychopathology. Lack of care and attention. Family stiffness. Underestimated or neglected emotional problems. Excessive demands by parents.

7. Social risks: Lack of support social network. Isolation. Rejection or marginalization. Negative life events. Losses. Couple breakups. Bullying. Stigmatization Silence suicide attempts.

Given the risk, it is important to adopt quick measures such as:

• Reduce the anxiety of the person who suffers.
• Inform family members and give them support. It is necessary to take the person to a Hospital Medical Emergency Service or call 112.
• Limit access to harmful media.
• Do not leave them alone, intensify surveillance.
• Ask him without fear and listen to him with sensitivity and understanding.
• Achieve the confidence with phrases like: "I would like you to give me an opportunity to help you ". Convey that we care and make you see your worth.
• Seek specialized support.

Warning signs of suicide

These signs can lead us to think that a person is thinking about suicide.

• Negative comments or verbalizations about yourself or about life: I am worthless. This life sucks. My life does not make sense. You would be better off without me.
• Unexpected verbal or written goodbyes: I want you to know that I loved you very much.
• Negative comments about the future: Mine has no solution, things will never improve.
• Comments related to suicide or death: I would like to disappear, I do not wish to continue living.
• Sudden changes in behavior: Increased irascibility. Aggressiveness. Insomnia, or, conversely, sudden calm and tranquility.
• Lack of interest. Passive attitude. Isolation. Substance use. Decrease in effort. Inappropriate behaviors. Giving away precious and cherished personal items. Unusual farewell. Close Facebook or WhatsApp accounts. Resolve issues.

Protective factors against suicide

The more protective factors, the lower the probability of suicide..

Personal protection factors: Communication skills. Be decisive. Social skills. Be outgoing. Receptiveness towards similar experiences. High self-esteem. Positive attitudes and values ​​(respect, solidarity, cooperation, justice, friendship). Feeling lovely.

Family protection factors: Support for

Social protection factors: Quality and consistency in social support. Good relations. Good communication with equals and people of authority. Confidence. Feeling heard. To have friends.

In the school environment: Include prevention, action and post-prevention strategies for cases of suicide attempt and ideation. Awareness and guidance of schools. Zero tolerance for harassment. Improve communication between teachers and adolescents. Promote supportive behaviors.

In Spain there are approximately 11 suicides a day, a quarter of them are adolescents.

This serious reality requires a multidisciplinary intervention: health, family, school, police, etc. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2011) consider that "The educational environment is an excellent place to develop adequate preventive activities".

The Madrid City Council in collaboration with the Official College of Psychologists of Madrid and the AIPIS Association have developed a guide for the prevention of suicidal behavior aimed at teachers.

This article is a summary of the guide and aims to disseminate professional knowledge about suicide.

Disseminating truthful and objective information about suicidal behavior helps to identify the warning signs and to know how we should act before these signs, where we can go, as well as, face the duel before the consummate suicide.