Just Keep Swimming: Suicide Prevention

Written by: Bianca Mairie D. Go

Trigger Warning: Mentions of Suicide and Death

For the longest time, this topic has been controversial in many societies. Families choose not to discuss it. Friends may tell you to cheer up. However, does someone actually understand what they feel? In the vastness of human society, who would take a step back and listen? Feeling lonely does not simply mean there is an absence of loved ones. And feelings that are kept may evolve until the time the person chooses to end their life.

Suicide is a term used for people harming themselves to the point of death. According to World Health Organization (2021), approximately 700,000 commit suicide yearly. However, death itself is not the only concerning topic, as attempts of suicide have a much higher number than the deaths themselves. And as there are attempts, there are thoughts. Suicidal thoughts allow a person to lose a will to live and continue to further their daily activities, creating a sense of hopelessness for any improvements in what life throws at their way. People with mental disorders are more likely to develop suicidal thoughts, especially those with depression and alcohol, their feelings of hopelessness develop into suicidal thoughts. However, this sense of grief can be found anywhere, from family problems, social exclusion, financial issues, and even academic stress.

Stress is not necessarily a negative thing. Stress allows people to accomplish tasks more efficiently, reacting to the demands of our challenges (A.D.A.M. Inc., 2020). Usually, short-term stress positively affects our workflow, allowing us to be more productive. However, as people stress over extended periods, they release high energy levels without giving them time to replenish energy, thus becoming burnt out. Similarly, academic stress is a response to accomplish academic requirements, usually in the form of cramming, due to the numerous demands needed to pass all the subjects (Alsulami et al., 2018). The overload of synchronous classes, asynchronous tasks, and maintaining a school-life balance puts enormous stress on countless students, especially while adapting to the new normal of the online setup. This continuous and neverending stress could lead to the students’ deteriorating mental health and eventually lead to suicide.

A further example could be a case last 2020, wherein a 19-year-old boy committed suicide by hanging himself as he worried his family could not provide sufficient equipment for his online classes (Calleja, 2020). With the financial problems brought by the pandemic, unprivileged people are unable to secure gadgets. The stress of continuing problems of purchasing load for internet connection is what drove him to his decision. According to Gilbert Sadsad, the online setup has brought online learners vulnerabilities of depression and emotional breakdowns (Sibucao, 2020).

However, how would one actually prevent any more lives from being taken despite the continuing online setup? It is quoted that “Prevention is better than cure,” but how would you actually prevent a seemingly delicate situation while it is difficult to determine who needs attention?

Suicidal thoughts are easy to miss. Mental conditions are not usually noticeable, as a person may still seem their “usual self,” although they might be already suffering deep inside. They may be desperate for help but do not communicate these concerns due to the myths of faking mental conditions for attention. Thus, many remain undiagnosed, only for their situation to worsen over time (Powell, 2015). However, that does not mean it’s impossible to know whether a person may have problems! Provided by Cleveland Clinic (2021), here are some warning signs you should note:

1. The person displays symptoms of depression such as mood swings, sleep problems, loss of interest in past hobbies, feeling worthless and guilty, etc. ​​(Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) — Symptoms and Causes, 2018).
2. A person suddenly calms down after a series of mood swings and depression.
3. They may withdraw from their social circles and have less time for socialization.
4. Recent trauma and significant life crisis may also drive a person to despair.
5. A person may tend to show reckless behavior that may endanger themselves.
6. One of the most alarming signs would be a person making preparations. A person may prepare by suddenly making amends for past mistakes, making a note for loved ones, anything to organize their personal businesses in life and the people they love.

These signs are some of the things one should note. However, there are instances when they do not strictly follow these signs, so it is always better to regularly check up on their loved ones. Once one is identified to be suicidal, it is recommended for them to get professional help. However, therapy is recommended not only for the mentally ill; anyone can seek psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is when a person would communicate their personal concerns to a medical professional such as psychiatrists and psychologists ​​(Psychotherapy, 2016). Through therapy, a person may learn more about their own life. Therapy sessions allow people to open their minds to countless possibilities and widen their perspectives on life and everything around them. With the constant learning of their own selves, they explore new possible coping mechanisms and habits to get back on track (Caleb, 2020)​​.

References:

A.D.A.M. Inc. (2020, May 10). Stress and your health. Medline Plus Encyclopedia; US National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003211.htm

Alsulami, S., Al Omar, Z., Binnwejim, M. S., Alhamdan, F., Aldrees, A., Al-bawardi, A., Alsohim, M., & Alhabeeb, M. (2018). Perception of academic stress among Health Science Preparatory Program students in two Saudi universities. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 9, 159–164. https://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S143151

Caleb, O. (2020, August 28). 6 reasons why everyone should engage in therapy. Psychreg. https://www.psychreg.org/everyone-engage-therapy/

Calleja, J. P. (2020, June 19). Filipino boy kills himself over online learning. Union of Catholic Asian News. https://www.ucanews.com/news/filipino-boy-kills-himself-over-online-learning/88459

Depression (Major depressive disorder) — Symptoms and causes. (2018, February 3). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007

Powell, S. (2015, July 17). Dispelling Myths on Mental Illness. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/blogs/nami-blog/july-2015/dispelling-myths-on-mental-illness

Psychotherapy. (2016, March 17). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/psychotherapy/about/pac-20384616

Recognizing suicide behavior: Risk factors, warning signs, what to do. (2021, June 18). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11352-recognizing-suicidal-behavior

Sibucao, C. D. (2020, September 19). Three students commit suicide, three months into online learning. UPLB Perspective. https://uplbperspective.org/2020/09/19/three-students-commit-suicide-three-months-into-online-learning/

Suicide. (2021, June 17). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide