This year, as in year’s past, the day has been organized by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). It is also being supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Association for Suicide Prevention, and United for Global Mental Health. 

According to the World Federation for Mental Health, “World Mental Health Day celebrates awareness for the global community in an empathetic way, with a unifying voice, helping those feel hopeful by empowering them to take action and to create lasting change.”

The day’s over-riding goal is to raise mental health awareness and support mental health issues across the globe. 

This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is suicide prevention - a difficult topic for many to even think about, let alone talk about. 

In my effort to help break down barriers, collapse the stigma attached to suicide and mental health issues, and raise awareness, I’d like to share some statistics and warning signs, as well as offer practical advise in case someone you know or love may be in trouble. 

This blog is also meant to remind us that reaching out to those who are going through a difficult time can make a difference. Many people who are feeling low may also feel like their problems are a burden to others. They may even think that those around them don’t care. Reaching out and offering support can help boost their moods and, more importantly, give them hope. 

The bottom line: suicide is preventable.

Startling Suicide Statistics: 2019

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “suicide is the result of an act deliberately initiated and performed by a person in the full knowledge or expectation of its fatal outcome.” It’s a major public mental health problem affecting all cultures, all ages, and all sexes. It’s also not a new issue, as suicides have been recorded throughout history. 

Though it has different meanings based on the context of each person’s life, a feature common to all suicides exists. That commonality is a suffering behind the person’s decision to choose death over the uncertainty of a future perceived as unbearable.

Here are some startling statistics about suicide:

• Each year around the world, suicide ranks among the top 20 leading causes of death for people of all ages.

• According to the World Health Organization, globally, suicide accounts for over 800,000 deaths each year.

• This equates to one suicide world-wide every 40 seconds.

• It affects people of all ages, races, religions, and from every economic background, though the majority (about 79%) of suicides occur within low to middle-income countries.

• In young people aged 15-29, suicide is the second most common cause of death.

• Research suggests that for every one person who dies by suicide, there may be about 20 others attempting to end their life.

• For each suicide, there are approximately 135 people who suffer intense grief or who are profoundly affected in other ways. This amounts to 108 million people annually who are significantly impacted by suicidal behaviour.

In addition to these statistics, it’s interesting to note that most people with a diagnosable mental disorder never receive that diagnosis. There is also a gross under-funding for suicide prevention when compared to the prevention of other problems affecting many young people like traffic accidents. 

Though depression is an important risk factor for suicidal behaviour, but it is not the only factor. Sadness, disillusionment, disengagement, disappointment, and a lack of positive expectations are other common reasons for suicidal ideation. Any of these may or may not be a symptom of depression.

Warning Signs of Suicide

People who think about or act on suicide rarely make that decision in the spur of the moment. For days or hours before hand, they usually send out clues and warning signs.

Common warning signs include:

• Displaying a marked change in behaviour, attitude or appearance

• Displaying extreme mood swings

• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

• Sleeping too little or too much

• Starting to abuse drugs or alcohol

• Acting anxious or agitated

• Having experienced a major loss or life change that the person cannot seem to get past

• People getting their affairs in order or giving away their valued possessions

• Talking about wanting to die - "I'm thinking of ending it all”

• Talking about feeling trapped or being in unbearable pain - “I can’t take this anymore”

• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose - “It’s no use - I can't go on like this"

• Talking about being a burden on others - “You’d be better off without me”

• Looking for a way to kill oneself

• Becoming depressed, withdrawn, or isolating oneself

• Reckless behaviour that is out of character

Any of these warning signs, especially the disturbing remarks, should always be taken seriously.

Other situations can increase a person’s risk of suicide, as well. In most cases, these situations do not often result in suicide, but generally speaking, the more signs a person displays, the higher their risk of contemplating suicide. 

These risk factors include:

• A decline in academic performance or uncharacteristic failure

• A loss of a job or problems at work

• Impending legal action

• Recent imprisonment or upcoming release from imprisonment

• Having a family history of suicide or violence

• Having suffered sexual or physical abuse

• Being the target of bullying or cyberbullying

• The death of a close friend or family member

• Divorce, separation, or the end of a relationship

Warning Behaviours:

• Writing or drawing about death and suicide

• Changes in behaviour

• Extremes in behaviour

• Previous suicidal behaviour

• Crying spells

• Fighting

• Breaking the law

• Self-mutilation or self-harm

• Impulsiveness

Physical Changes:

• A lack of interest in personal appearance/hygiene

• A sudden change in appearance

• Changes in sexual interests

• Getting sick more often

• A sudden lack of energy

• New sleep patterns—sleeping too much or too little

• A loss of appetite

• Sudden weight gain or weight loss

Thoughts and Emotions:

• Excessive daydreaming

• Anxiety and panic

• Relentless stress

• Feeling helpless

• Loss of self-worth

• Thoughts of suicide

• Extreme isolation or loneliness—lack of support from family and friends

• Feeling marginalized or being rejected

• Deep sadness or guilt

• An inability to see beyond a narrow focus

The more of these signs a person shows, the greater their risk. Though warning signs may be associated with suicide, they may not necessarily be what causes it.

If someone you know or love is exhibiting several of these signs, you suspect they may be contemplating suicide, or they have expressed such a desire what can you do about it?

What to do if someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide

It’s extremely disturbing and stressful if you suspect someone you know may be contemplating suicide. It can create a cascade of thoughts and emotions. You might not know what to do or say, and may start to feel depressed yourself - not knowing what you can do to help.

Worse, you may think that what you say or do might make matters worse. You may feel alone and fear that you are the only one who can do something about it. But what?

Depending on the situation, you may be able to engage in a caring conversation. If someone appears suicidal, a thoughtful conversation can provide basic, life-saving assistance in their time of need. Actively listen to what they have to say and be there for them. Though this may sound simple in concept, a caring conversation can be difficult to achieve. We must be willing to step into their shoes and sit in the person’s discomfort with them. With the proper knowledge, training, and desire to help, any one of us can be exactly what that person needs at the moment.

Here are some other ways to help:

• Do not leave the person alone

• Remove any car keys, firearms, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt

• Call someone they trust - like a trusted counsellor or a family member

• In the US, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)

• In Canada, call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566

• Seek help from a medical or mental health professional

• Take the person to the emergency room

Though it may be difficult in the moment, your ability to save someone’s life will be worth the effort.

Preventing suicide boils down to working together. Actively listening to each other and creating meaningful connections with others has the potential to proliferate exponentially throughout society - both in our physical world and in cyberspace. 

Unfortunately, mental health issues and suicide are heavily stigmatized. What’s worse is that these stigmas can create further problems by becoming obstacles in efforts to prevent suicide.

Conversations surrounding mental health, suicide, and suicide prevention need to become more commonplace. We must learn to become comfortable with the uncomfortable. We must break down the barriers and fears surrounding these issues in order for the stigma to fade. [quote]

Only then, will we begin to realize - as individuals, as communities, and as a society, that mental health matters, that suicide is preventable, and that each and every one of us can make a difference - no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.

Suicide is a global public health problem that deserves attention. 

It deserves the attention of national health authorities whose responsibility is to devise policies and directives aimed at establishing strategies to promote the public’s mental health and prevent suicide. 

It deserves the attention of governments around the world so that the issue might be given priority in public health agendas.

It deserves attention from print and social media who can provide a positive influence on the subject if they address it appropriately.

And it deserves the attention of all of us whose mindsets surrounding mental health and suicide need to broaden. We should be more open to learning about and talking about mental health issues. We should build strong relationships with our neighbours and within our communities. We should be more attentive to those around us and less consumed by our own lives. 

Of course, if you feel your mental health or wellness is not where you would like it to be, or if you or a family member is experiencing mental health issues, you do not have go it alone! Give me a call or make an appointment to see me today. Proper nutrition and the right mindset can make a positive difference in improving anyone’s mental health.

And as always, I’d love to hear what you think. Drop me a line or comment below with your thoughts. And for more information about suicide prevention, you may want to explore what the WHO has to offer.