Suicide prevention: Addressing suicidal thoughts

ADENIKE is a new mother who has been complaining of exhaustion and hopelessness. Her family members have attributed this to the normal fatigue associated with motherhood. She was repeatedly told, “It is normal. You will get over it.” She stopped talking about how she felt after she told her husband she felt like killing herself, and he told her to rebuke the demon putting such thoughts in her head. A friend of hers, whom she had confided in about her intention, thought it was a joke and told her to stop making such distasteful jokes.

Emeka’s mother received the biggest shock of her life when her son, Emeka, told her he wanted to end his life. As is characteristic of the typical African parent, she screamed and rejected it. She has since started bringing him to all church services and told the pastor to admonish him.

Hassan has just received a message from his long-time friend, Musa, and the message simply read, “I want to kill myself. I am tired of this life.” Hassan was upset with him and told him off. How can a Muslim be talking about killing himself? ‘You will burn in hellfire for eternity.’ He told Musa.

Cases like these reflect the very common nature of suicidal thoughts in society. Unfortunately, when they communicate such thoughts to their loved ones, they either ignore it as a joke or attribute it to spiritual causes. Or they berate them for such ‘nonsense thinking’. The consequence is a suicidal crisis that should be properly highlighted and managed.

According to the World Health Organisation, every 40 seconds, 1 suicide death occurs on this planet. For every death by suicide, there are at least 20 suicide attempts and several more cases of suicidal ideation. A research paper among thousands of youths in southwest Nigeria revealed that nearly 4 out of every 10 had experienced suicidal thoughts at some point. Thus, helping people with suicidal thoughts is integral to preventing suicide in Nigeria, as well as globally.

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Understanding Suicidal Ideation

Suicidal ideations, or suicidal thoughts, refer to an individual’s thoughts, consideration, preoccupation, or plan for their own death and suicide. Suicidal ideation varies for every person in intensity and severity. Many people have these thoughts but never attempt suicide, but these thoughts are often associated with a mental health struggle and can lead to self-harm or, eventually, suicide.

Suicidal ideation can be active or passive. Passive suicidal ideations are just thoughts of killing oneself without the desire or plan to act on them. Active suicidal ideations, on the other hand, are more dangerous, as the individual often has the desire and motivation to create an action plan to kill themselves.

If a person is specific with certain details about killing themselves, starts giving out belongings, or sends goodbye messages, there is a high chance they are at the active phase of suicidal ideation.

Suicidal ideations can be caused by stress, traumatic life events, substance use, financial struggles, and/or underlying mental health conditions, especially depression.

What Can You Do if You Have Suicidal Ideation?

●     Reach out to someone who cares about you and you trust. Tell them what you are going to do.

●     Avoid staying indoors alone.

●     Engage in enjoyable activities.

●     Avoid drinking alcohol or taking any substance.

●     Reach out for help if you think you will act on it. You can call or text the Asido Foundation’s Helpline 0902-8080-416.

●     Seek professional help urgently.

What To Do if Someone You Know Has Suicidal Ideation?

●     Ask them how they are feeling and about their suicidal ideation. Contrary to public opinion, asking someone about their suicidal thoughts does not encourage them to act on it; instead, it encourages them to open up and seek the necessary help.

●     Listen without judgement. Listening to a person with suicidal thoughts without any shame or discrimination can help them feel seen and loved. Acknowledging and openly talking about a person’s struggle with suicidal thoughts can help reduce suicidal thoughts and prevent suicide attempts.

●     Keep them safe. Ensure you keep a person with suicidal thoughts away from harmful or lethal objects and substances. If they have a suicide plan already, take all steps to prevent them from carrying out the plan.

●     Connect them with help. Contact a suicide helpline and ensure they get help or seek professional help. Inform close friends and family members who can help.

●     Stay in touch. Stay with them and don’t leave them alone until they are in safe hands. Follow up and consistently reach out to support a person struggling with suicidal ideation for a period of time until they are out of danger.