Why Suicide Prevention Awareness is Important

Content Warning: This article discusses suicide, but we believe difficult conversations around how to discuss mental health in respectful and non-stigmatizing ways is important.

September is Depression and Suicide Prevention Month and, this year, it’s more important than ever to break stigma and share resources. Researchers around the world have raised a red flag for increased mental health challenges influenced by social isolation, uncertainty about the future, unemployment, and barriers to healthcare. In addition to higher rates of anxiety, depression and substance abuse, a recent study by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports more prevalent feelings of suicidal ideation.

Essential workers, unpaid adult caretakers and BIPOC-identifying people also had higher percentages of suicidal ideation than the general population. One hypothesis is that this increase might be caused by intense feelings of responsibility mixed with a lack of control over our lives. You must make things work, but everything feels like it’s working against you. Where you once had hope for opportunity, there’s now more restrictions or obstacles. Additionally, factors such as financial instability, lack of social support and exposure to various forms of abuse play a significant role in suicidal thoughts and ideation.

If you’ve had suicidal ideation, this CDC research is an important reminder that you’re not alone. There are many people who understand what it feels like to have suicidal ideation and, importantly, there are help and support available. Help is available and you deserve the support you need to get through difficult thoughts and feelings.

If you’re close to someone suffering from suicidal ideation, speaking bluntly about suicide will more often heal rather than hurt. It is a misconception that talking about suicide will make someone more likely to feel suicidal. Instead, it can provide relief that there’s a safe space and non-judgmental person to discuss the topic. If the person you’re supporting doesn’t feel suicidal, speaking about suicide often has the positive effect of reinforcing that things are not as dire as one may consider them.

Overall, we need to take away the shame and break through secrecy that can lead to serious suicide attempts. We need to openly ask ourselves and each other: “Have you ever thought of harming yourself or trying to take your own life?” It is perfectly acceptable to say these words. A straightforward question asked with empathetic curiosity and not fear-based judgement, could be the first step towards improving someone’s quality of life. Or even saving it.

Suffering in silence

Psychologist Diana Dichabe said: “What I have seen in my practice is that people are suffering from depression, but many suffer in silence. They don’t have anyone to talk to and no one understands what’s happening. We cannot shy away from the fact that mental health is stigmatised and people don’t talk about issues. The pandemic has caused a lot of anxiety and depression and people are feeling lonely and some feel that their lives have stopped. That impacts on a lot of people’s psychological functioning and well-being.”

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It’s important to reach out if you feel that you are not coping. Talk to us, we can help.