Reflecting on World Suicide Prevention Day 2021
Why self-harm must never be on your options
Self resentment is the act of indulging in self-deprecation and related behaviour that fosters a sense of hatred towards oneself. These feelings may originate from negative experiences at school, the playground or at home where on being mocked, people develop negative connotations with their own physical and/ or behavioural attributes. Such taunts and belittling can run riot in an otherwise peaceful mind. A poor self-esteem profile may manifest as a lack of confidence in social interactions, reclusiveness, reacting poorly to anything that puts the spotlight on them and so on.
Insecurities may be developed around one’s abilities and how they perceive themselves in their circles. It could also stem from feelings of inadequacy or imposter syndrome. Although many of these feelings are common and justified to an extent, there exists a clear demarcation beyond which they are no longer healthy. These can go on to play spoilsport in social and intimate relationships, impairing daily activities due to poor decision making and the inability to express thoughts coherently.
Hating oneself is not only caused by insecurities and shame. It could also be due to unfulfilled relationships, tragedies/ losses and guilt over past (in)actions or situations with seemingly no reparation.
Seemingly being a solution to many issues — professional or personal, suicide is an extreme coping tool to undue stress. Further, it could also be an act of defiance/ pursuit of freedom or (twisted) honour.
Suicides, particularly of celebrities amongst others, have a notoriety of their own, propagated by certain sections of the media and other internet spaces. Often portrayed as a means of poetic end via many forms of media and entertainment, a toxic culture of worshipping those who have succumbed to self-harm is prevalent. It is a bandwagon that promotes false collusions, for example, the imagery of a troubled creative soul (which is the premise of pretty much every coming-of-age struggling artiste’s tale) seeking solace from crushing odds. Moreover, both deceased and survivors are subject to a platter of epithets and sobriquets by blissfully unaware folk.
Suicide has also been called ‘ironic’, especially in connotation with an individual’s overall demeanour. Also associated with it is the inglorious label of ‘selfishness’- stripping away the opportunity of empathizing for both victims and those with suicidal intentions. While this guilt trip serves as yet another straw for an ideating person to clutch at, it also acts as a launchpad by promising a purely self-fulfilling reward.
Religion, in its morally righteous fashion as always, despises self-harm, recognizing the value of each individual and their part to play in the world’s affairs. That to be a part of creation as an act of God’s will would certainly compel believers to abstain from practising heresy by orchestrating an agenda against his desired intentions.
Countries all over the world have been witnessing a spike in self-harm acts over the past few decades due to lifestyle and social changes that in many ways have driven people over the edge as a result of growing resentment. While the idea of taking one’s own life is by no means novel (having been the dominion of some of the most revered authors and philosophers’ works), the proliferation of technology into all walks of life has arguably played a part in setting this worrying trend.
It is one thing to loathe yourself because of unfortunate predicaments; however, to employ a quick end as a means of an appropriate response is excessive.
Says Tyson Fury, a then-undefeated heavyweight boxer who had dethroned the legendary Russian Klitschko that he had nothing else on his mind except to cease to exist. For a young man on top of the world, that would be, from an outsider’s view an inexplicable decision — to give up all the riches, the velvet robes and the whole nine yards. But then, the taller the pedestal, the longer the shadow cast. Having conquered his inner demons, the British boxer remains unbeaten in his comeback and promotes mental health advocacy and is an even bigger star than he ever was. All because he chose not to give up on himself.
Deliberately standing in harm’s way and exposing oneself to dangerous elements is an active act of self-harm. Passive suicide ideation lingers around for a while before maturing into full-blown self-harming tendencies. Cutting, among other activities, has been used as a coping mechanism/ outlet for emotional outbursts and angst, while substance abuse and poor company (or lack thereof) only fuels depravity. Having poor confidence is detrimental to navigating through any task. An infirm conviction can lead to error-strewn day to day activities and directly translate into poor performance at a job or education. Such a poor quality of life will only lead to further resentment and a progressive spiral into hopelessness.
In conclusion:
It is difficult to ascertain the true extent of self-harm carried out by those showing signs of suicidal intentions or those who have divulged to it. Clinical proof that a majority of at-risk adults showing suicidal behaviour have harboured self-destructive thoughts from their adolescence demonstrates the need for availability of counselling and intervention when deemed necessary at the earliest stages of suicide ideation. Destigmatization is crucial to curb the trivialization of mental health matters and the general trend of repelling any form of therapy like lepers repel limbs. Impulsive actions only when arrested within developmental years will prevent all-out suicide ideation throughout adulthood.
