Suicide: The Dark Mystery

When we hear of suicide, we wonder why someone would want to take their own life. We may never know why a person committed suicide, while it might have appeared that someone had everything to live for, it probably didn't feel that way to them. In Nepal, almost 15 people committed suicide everyday with around 5000 persons killing themselves every year. During this lockdown period from March 24 to June 18 this year, a total of 875 people committed suicide, which is the sign of increment than  previously reported. According to the news "742 died by hanging themselves, 114 by consuming poison and the rest used burning, stabbing, jumping from height as major ways of attempting suicide." WHO has ranked Nepal as the country with the 7th highest suicide rate in the world (24.9 per 1,00,000).

So far in Nepal, 22 death from COVID-19 has been counted which is very less in comparison to others. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is feared to make suicide as an enormous global psychological consideration. Most of the people attempt suicide to escape from the situation that seemed impossible to deal with or to get relief from the feelings. Some people who end their lives might be trying to escape feelings of rejection, hurt or loss. We all feel overwhelmed by difficult emotions or situations sometimes.This pandemic has brought several risk factors such as social isolation, anxiety, depression and deficient availability of treatment. At the same time, restriction followed by pandemic have effects on economy which results unemployment. Majority of youths are stressed because of employment and financial loss. There may be several reasons to end the life but the fact most people who commit suicide have depression.

Depression

Depression affects a person's thought in such a way that the person doesn't see when a problem can be overcome. Depression leads people to focus mostly on failures to emphasize the negative sides of the situation. Depressed people is unable to see the possibility of a good outcome and  believe they will never be happy or things will never go right for them. That's why depressed people don't realize that suicide is not a permanent solution to a temporary problem in the same way that other people do. Depression is powerful. No one knows when one become the victim of depression. You can't wait and hope that your mood might improve. 

Traumatic Stress

A person who has a traumatic experience such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, rape,  is at a higher risk for suicide  even many years after the trauma.

Fear of Loss

A person may try to end their own life when facing a loss or the fear of loss. These situation includes:

• Loosing a close person 
• Loosing a job
• Loosing social position.
• Financial Problem
• Academic failure

Hopelessness

While it might seems obvious to an outside observer that things will get better, people with depression may not be able to see this due to pessimism and despair that go along with this illness.

Isolation

We all know what is going on at this time of the year. People are being isolated. This can lead to loneliness and other risk factors of suicide. 

How do you know when someone is depressed?

Depressed people often show some signs that leads towards suicidal attempt. 

• Talking about suicide in general

• Talking about feeling hopeless

• Having no desire to take part in favorite activities

• Irritable mood

• No clarity of thinking

• Experiencing changes in eating and sleeping pattern

• Engaging in self destructive activities

• Worse concentration

• Severe anxiety/ panic attacks

It’s important to remember that not everyone who is depressed is suicidal. You can still seek help even if you haven’t demonstrated any specific suicidal or self-harm behaviors.

Most of the youth feels awkward to talk to a parents as they think their parent won't understand them. In this case talking to someone whom you trust will be helpful. It is always better to start conversation with someone you think may be considering mentally disturbed. Most of the time people who are considering suicide are willing to talk if someone asks them out of concern and care.

Being a youth is not easy. There are so many social, academic and personal pressures. Some youth worry about sexuality and relationships,  wondering if their feelings and attraction are normal or if they will be loved and accepted. Some of them have learning and attention problems that make it hard for them to succeed.Sometimes people attempt suicide not so much because they really want to die but because they simply don't know how to get help. These problems cane be difficult and can lead to depression if they go on too long without support. People are better able to deal with tough circumstances when they have at least one person who believes in them, wants the best for them, and in whom they can confine. 

How to overcome depression?

I recommend doing some of the following coping skills and techniques once a day when experiencing depression. It’s important to know you probably won’t be motivated to do any of them at first because depression frequently exhaust motivation. And it’s normal to feel unmotivated until you’re halfway done.

Meditation

Meditation expands awareness. When awareness expands, you more easily see through the tricks of your mind. Meditation and yoga helps to maintain balance on your sleeping, eating and talking habit.  If there’s hopelessness, sit with that.Welcome it. Let it take over your body. Let the energy flow freely. You don’t necessarily have to even sit down and close your eyes. You can be mindful while you’re taking a walk, lying in bed, or even watching a movie. You can search tools and way to meditate on the internet.

Move and Breathe

This is not all about the psychological aspects. We live in these biological bodies that need to be taken care of. What happen is that as you feel worse, you move less.  And as you move less, you feel worse. You need to keep the energy flowing. I encourage to move your body as often as you can. As long as you enjoy it, it doesn't matter what it is.

Focus on people who lift you up

Interact frequently with people that brings you up. Its okay to stay alone sometimes but find balance and don't isolate yourself.

Reward your efforts

When you achieve a goal, do your best to recognize it. You may not feel like celebrating but recognizing your own successful can be a powerful weapon against depression and negativity.

Spend time in  nature

Nature have a powerful influence on depression. Research shows people who spend time in nature have sound mental health. Exposure to sunlight may offer some of the same benefits. Go for hiking one a week or once in a month.

Volunteering

Spending time with other people and doing something new by volunteering and giving your your time to someone or something else. You may be used to receiving help from friends, but reaching out and providing help may actually improve your mental health more.