Why bother about suicide prevention?

Suicide was classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2012 as a public health emergency for several reasons. It is a PREVENTABLE tragedy where an individual intentionally takes their own life. In many instances, it is on account of treatable situations such as mental disorders, commonly depression, or life stressors that can be mitigated.

Thus, the focus is on suicide prevention, because human life is irreplaceable and the risk factors can be removed…if identified early. Suicide prevention is important because suicidal crises are often transient, but their consequences are permanent and irreversible. Timely support and interventions can create the opportunity for the crises to be resolved, for the emotional pain to lessen, and for effective treatment interventions, safety arrangements, and hope to be reignited in such individuals. September is Suicide Prevention Month, and we will continue to focus on this theme.

What are the figures?

•800,000 deaths: WHO estimates that 800,000 people die by suicide worldwide.

•One suicide death occurs every 40 seconds: Somewhere on this planet a human being intentionally takes their own life every 40 seconds. This is preventable!!

•2,160 suicide deaths occur every day: This translates to the equivalent of FIVE Boeing 747 planes, carrying about 450 passengers, crashing every day. And crashes that are PREVENTABLE. The entire world will come to a standstill until it is resolved.

Suicide prevention matters because it:

•Saves lives through early recognition, empathy, supportive help, and early interventions.

•Reduces suffering for individuals, families, friends, and communities. Emotional pain can cause terrible anguish for affected individuals and their families, such that they begin to contemplate suicide as an escape route—unfortunately.

•Challenges stigma, making it easier for people to speak honestly and seek help. Stigma remains a huge barrier that causes many to simply suffer in silence.

•Improves access to care by strengthening crisis services, mental health treatment, and community supports. Access to quality services can be the difference between a fatal outcome and survival.

•Builds protective connections—feeling heard, valued, and supported can make a meaningful difference when people are going through a crisis and feel all alone or abandoned.

What are the warning signs that someone may be suicidal?

Warning signs can appear in what a person says, does, feels, or experiences. Look for a new behaviour, a marked change, or several signs occurring together—especially after a painful loss, major setback, or crisis. These are situations that may cause tremendous emotional trauma or pain.

Things they may say:

•Talking about wanting to die or wishing they could just sleep and not wake up again.

•Saying they feel hopeless, trapped, in unbearable pain, or like a burden to loved ones.

•Saying goodbye as though it may be final.

READ ALSO: Suicide prevention: Addressing suicidal thoughts

Things they may do

•Look for a way to harm themselves or have plans about how to achieve that aim.

•Start to give away their possessions or write a will or goodbye notes.

•Withdraw from people, work, school, or usual activities.

•Show major changes in sleep, eating, substance use, or neglect of self-care.

Presence of recent stressors

•Relationship breakdown, recent losses or bereavement, bullying, financial or legal problems.

•Serious illness, chronic pain, trauma, or worsening mental health symptoms.

What can we all do?

Everyone is a stakeholder. We can all help prevent suicide by shaping attitudes, recognising risk, connecting people with support, and creating safer communities.

Everyone:

Take any mention of suicide seriously. Ask directly and calmly: “Are you thinking about suicide?” Contrary to popular fears, asking does not put the idea in someone’s mind. It rather creates the opening for them to pour out their feelings and thoughts. Listen without judgment, stay with them, show empathy, and provide support. Ensure they are connected to mental health services.

Media

The media can:

•Report responsibly by avoiding sensational language, graphic details, simplistic explanations, and prominent repetition.

•Protect privacy and dignity, particularly for bereaved families and vulnerable individuals.

•Avoid stigma by presenting suicide as a complex public-health issue rather than a moral failing or personal weakness.

•Include hope and recovery stories that show help-seeking and treatment can be effective. Provide support information, such as crisis lines and local mental health services.

•Educate the public about warning signs, protective factors, and ways to respond.

Religious and faith leaders can:

•Offer compassionate, nonjudgmental support to people experiencing distress and to bereaved families.

•Encourage professional care, recognising that spiritual support complements—but does not replace—clinical treatment.

•Use sermons, teaching, and community programmes to promote hope, help-seeking, and respect for life.

•Respond sensitively after a suicide, avoiding blame, oversimplification, or messages that may increase guilt. Such as preaching that it is due to lack of faith.

Other stakeholders:

Health professionals, schools, traditional leaders, organisational leadership, community organisations, policymakers, and people with lived experience all have important roles to play in suicide prevention. Their activities and communication should be guided by culturally appropriate, compassionate, and factual information with a focus on safety, hope, and access to help. Suicide is preventable. We all have a role to play.