” Suicide is a serious public health problem that causes some 800,000 deaths a year around the world , one every 40 seconds. It is the fourth leading cause of death among young people between 15 and 19 years of age. Even though it is a serious public health problem , suicide can be prevented through timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions,” according to the WHO
In the latest report from the Suicide Observatory in Spain, they indicate that the year 2020 has become the year with the most suicides recorded in the history of Spain. The chilling number of 3,941 suicides has been reached, with an increase of 7.4% compared to the previous year. It is estimated that there are 200 suicide attempts per day and 11 suicides per day and 75% are men.
We are facing a serious mental health problem that affects us all despite being a taboo, stigmatized and hidden subject. Suicide is a silent pandemic that is not talked about. And what is not talked about, does not exist. For this reason, there are many myths and hoaxes that are perpetuated over time.
In this article we are going to debunk 5 of the myths about suicide that you still believe .
1.- Talking about suicide encourages it
Not only is it false, but being able to talk about it without feeling played decreases the risk of committing the act by facilitating undoing. Talking about suicide is known to be a protective factor , sometimes being the last chance for the person with suicidal ideation to analyze the situation and back off. Breaking the silence is part of the solution to prevent suicide.
2.- Who really wants to commit suicide does not tell
We should always take any suicidal threat seriously. According to Martín-Barrajón: ” close to 80% of people who committed suicide had commented on their intention before, or had shown signs of seeking help the week before “.
Therefore, it is false that it is not counted. For example, in Spain 18% went to the doctor the same day they committed suicide. Martín-Barrajón also affirms that “ when someone talks about committing suicide, they are not attracting attention, they are asking for help for a situation that they do not know how to manage.”
3.- Only people with serious problems commit suicide
This is another of the deeply rooted myths about suicide. We cannot value from our point of view what for others is serious or not. And, in addition, we must not forget that suicide is multicausal and that there is no predetermined profile of suicidal behavior.
4.- People who commit suicide or attempt it always have a mental disorder
According to the WHO: “The link between suicide and mental disorders (particularly depression and alcohol use) is well documented in high-income countries, but many cases occur in people who commit suicide impulsively in situations of crises (economic, sentimental, health) in which their ability to deal with these situations is diminished”.
Suicide does not always have to be related to mental illness, although it is true that it is an important risk factor . As much as we don’t believe it, it can affect anyone. Martín-Barrajón affirms that “ 50% of the general population (non-clinical), will experience moderate-severe suicidal tendencies” .
5.- Who commits suicide wants to kill himself
This is not the main cause. The causes of suicide are multiple . Suicide is a permanent solution to what is sometimes only a temporary problem. Those who try to commit suicide or succeed do not want to die or kill themselves, they want to stop suffering. This suffering and the absolute despair suffered by people with suicidal ideation can make them see death as the only way out.
Those who have overcome a suicide attempt describe that moment as the end of a spiral from which they could not escape. Taking this point into account, what is clear is that the key lies in prevention .
024: new suicide hotline
‘Call life’ is the slogan with which the activity of the 024 telephone line for attention to suicidal behavior in Spain begins today, May 10, 2022. Its creation is included in the new “Mental Health Strategy” of the National Health System, presented in October 2021.
The suicide hotline will be active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is totally confidential, leaves no trace and will be attended by qualified professionals in suicidal behavior care of the Red Cross.
In addition to serving people with suicidal ideation , it is also designed for the prevention and early detection of suicide. It will also give support and emotional support to family and friends . The telephone against suicide in Spain will also be accessible in sign language and other languages.
You know, if you need help: call 024, call life.
REFERENCES
- WHO (WHO). 2014. Preventing suicide: a global imperative. Pan American Health Organization. Available at: https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/54141
- Working group for the prevention of suicide in the child and adolescent population in Castilla La Mancha. 2020. Guide for the prevention of suicidal behavior aimed at teachers in Castilla la Mancha. Available at: https://sanidad.castillalamancha.es/sites/sescam.castillalamancha.es/files/documentos/pdf/20201123/guia_preven_suic_ijv.pdf
- Princess Psychologists, National Network of Psychologists Experts in Suicide. Martin-Barrajon. 2020. Key guidelines for treating a person at risk of suicide: what to do and what not to do. Available at: https://psicologosprincesa81.com/blog/guides-tratar-persona-riesgo-suicida/
- Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality. 2012. Clinical practice guideline for the prevention and treatment of suicidal behavior of the national health system 2012. Agency for the Evaluation of Health Technologies of Galicia, avalia-t. Ministry of Health. Available at: https://portal.guiasalud.es/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/gpc_481_conducta_suicida_avaliat_resum_modif_2020_2.pdf
- 2020. Suicide Observatory in Spain 2020. Spanish Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Available at: https://www.fsme.es/observatorio-del-suicidio-2020/
