Suicide

Suicide is the act of intentionally taking your own life. Suicidal feelings can mean having abstract thoughts about ending your life or feeling that people would be better off without you. Suicide can also mean thinking about methods of suicide or making clear plans to take your own life. 

DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and not to be used for self-diagnosis. If you or a loved one can relate to a number of features listed below, then please do use our therapist directory to find a psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist that is right for you to receive a professional diagnosis.

What are the primary symptoms/signs of suicide?

• If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, it’s a mental health emergency.
• Depression is a key risk factor for suicide; others include psychiatric disorders, substance use, chronic pain, a family history of suicide, and a prior suicide attempt. Impulsiveness often plays a role among adolescents who take their life.
• If a person deemed at risk due to any of the above shows sudden mood changes—even a suddenly upbeat mood—or completely new behaviors, they may be actively suicidal.
• Those who speak about being a burden to others, having no reason to live, feeling trapped, or in unbearable pain may also be contemplating suicide.
• Those with suicidal tendencies may experience; 
  • poor sleep, including waking up earlier than they would want to
  • a change in appetite, weight gain or loss
  • no desire to take care of himself/herself, for example neglecting one’s physical appearance
  • wanting to avoid others
  • making a will or giving away possessions
  • struggling to communicate
  • self-loathing and low self-esteem
  • urges to self-harm

Please Note: This information is for educational purposes only and not to be used for self-diagnosis. If you or a loved one can relate to a number of features listed below, then please do use our therapist directory to find a psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist that is right for you to receive a professional diagnosis.

What factors can be contributing causes? 

• Suicide often stems from a deep feeling of hopelessness. The inability to see solutions to problems or to cope with challenging life circumstances may lead people to see taking their own lives as the only solution to what is really a temporary situation, and most survivors of suicide attempts go on to live full, rewarding lives.

• Contributing factors can include;
  • Mental health problems
  • Bullying or discrimination
  • Different types of abuse, including domestic, sexual or physical abuse
  • Loss, including losing a loved one to suicide
  • The end of a relationship
  • Long-term physical pain or illness
  • Adjusting to a big change, such as retirement or redundancy
  • Money/financial problems 
  • Housing problems, including homelessness
  • Isolation or loneliness
  • Being in prison
  • Feeling like they are not good enough or like they are a failure
  • Addiction or substance abuse
  • Pregnancy, childbirth or postnatal depression
  • Doubts about one’s sexual or gender identity
  • Cultural pressure, such as forced marriage
  • Other forms of trauma

• Some medications, such as antidepressants, can cause some people to experience suicidal feelings. This side effect is often associated with a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). But all antidepressants have this as a possible risk.
• Some antipsychotic medications and mood stabilisers also cause some people to experience suicidal feelings.
• If a patient experiences suicidal feelings while taking psychiatric medication, he/she should talk to his/her GP as soon as possible about this.

What is the recommended treatment?

• With treatment and support, including self-care, the majority of people who have felt suicidal go on to live fulfilling lives.
• The earlier a person with suicidal thoughts informs someone of those feelings, the quicker he/she will be able to get support to overcome these feelings. But it may feel difficult to open up to people.
• Going to one’s GP is a good starting point for getting support. It is common to worry about talking to a doctor about suicidal feelings. But they will be used to listening to people who are experiencing difficult feelings. A GP can:
  • Refer patients to talking therapies
  • Prescribe medication
  • Refer patients to specialist services, such as a community mental health teams (CMHT)

• Helplines and listening services can be good ways of getting information or support for those who need it. Many are available across different times of the day, and provide a confidential, judgement-free service.
• Talking to someone on the telephone can also be helpful if the patient is finding it difficult to open up to people he/she knows or doesn’t want to speak to someone face-to-face.
• Peer support brings together people who’ve had similar experiences to support each other. Patients may find it a helpful way to share thoughts, feelings and tips for coping with others who understand what they are going through.
• Talking therapies are treatments which involve talking to a trained professional about one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour. For example, this could be speaking with a counsellor or a psychotherapist.
• Talking therapies can help a patient to understand why he/she is experiencing suicidal feelings and help in thinking about ways to help cope with and resolve these feelings
• There isn’t a specific drug licensed to treat suicidal feelings. But a doctor might prescribe psychiatric medication to help a patient to cope with symptoms. Doctors can also prescribe medication to treat a mental health problem which may be causing suicidal feelings. These medications may include:
  • Antidepressants
  • Antipsychotics
  • Mood stabilisers

• Psychiatric medication may be prescribed to help treat a mental health problem that is causing suicidal feelings. But some people find these medications actually make them feel worse. If a patient experiences suicidal feelings while taking psychiatric medication, he/she should talk to his/her GP as soon as possible about it.

• Statistically, suicide occurs most frequently among people ages 45 to 54. 
• Women are more likely to attempt suicide compared to men. However, men are more likely to complete the act of suicide compared to women.
• Some research shows that young people under the age of 25 are more likely to experience suicidal feelings when taking medications such as antidepressants. 
• Close to 800, 000 people die because of suicide every year.
• It is the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds.
• In 2015, the suicide mortality rate in Sri Lanka was reported as being 15 per 100,000 people.

If you are experiencing any of these signs, here are some activities you can do at home until you are able to consult a professional

• • Exercise
  • Engage in creative outlets such as writing, painting, or music
  • Keep a gratitude journal
  • Talk to a family member or friend about how you are feeling
  • Practice Mindfulness
  • Practice Yoga
  • Engage in a well-balanced diet
  • Maintain a good sleep schedule 
  • Recognise what you can and can’t handle