Suicide: The Silent killer
Each of us knows someone who has died by suicide. It takes more than 500 lives in this country every year. Suicide needs to be seen and addressed in broad terms as a social issue. We can each play our part in creating a society where suicide is a rare occurrence.
There is never one single cause of suicide, but there are many contributing factors. Undiagnosed and untreated mental health problems, emotional difficulties, loss, abuse of alcohol or drugs: these are all things which may leave someone vulnerable to the low self-esteem and loss of hope. This often precedes suicidal thoughts and behaviour.
Experts internationally suggest that as many as 80-90% of suicides can be traced back to undiagnosed or untreated depression.
Mental ill-health and stigma
Depression affects a person's
thoughts, feelings and behaviour,
impacting on energy levels,
concentration and self-esteem. It
can be a difficult condition to cope
with and many of those affected are
reluctant to seek help for fear of
being labelled.
We need to accept and support those who may be vulnerable to low mood and create a society where they can come forward for help safe in the knowledge that they will not be judged.
Alcohol and drug use
Research commissioned by Aware
in 2004 showed a correlation
between the increase in the alcohol
per capita consumption rate and
the suicide rate.
In Ireland, unique among European countries, there was a 41% increase in alcohol consumption per head of population between 1990-2000.
The causes include increased disposable income, liberal licensing laws, an alcohol permissive culture, and significant expenditure by the drinks industry on promotion of drinking. The increase in suicide over the same ten years parallels the increase in alcohol consumption. There has been no increase in the incidence of depression; no change in the method of reporting suicide, and there has been no other change in suicide causation. There appears to be no European or worldwide rate of increase in suicide to match that in Ireland.
Alcohol is a depressant and it also acts as a disinhibitor. This means that if someone is prone to low mood, the alcohol will lower the mood further and the inhibitions to self-anger and self-aggression will also be reduced. So, if a person is prone to suicidal thoughts, drinking alcohol can lead to a situation where they will act on those thoughts and engage in self-harm or suicidal behaviour.
Drugs have a similar impact, especially in those under 25, where the brain is not fully developed and therefore more vulnerable. Use of cannabis, cocaine and other popular drugs can and do cause paranoia, depression and other effects.
Loss
Loss can occur through
bereavement, relationship
breakdown or financial/career
difficulties. What is a minor event
for one person can be a major
trauma for another, so it is vital that
we do not judge others reactions
based on our own experiences.
Protective factors
Men are more at risk of suicide than
women: females tend to have more
protective factors in their lives. The
most significant of these is the close
friendships women generally have.
In most cases, women are
comfortable talking through
emotional difficulties with those
close to them. In doing so, they
receive reassurance and support.
Traditionally, males do not discuss
feelings and worries with those
around them.
What you can do
If you are concerned about yourself
or a loved one, seek medical advice
from a GP. They are best placed to
diagnose any underlying
problems, and to refer the
individual for the most
appropriate treatment if necessary.
There are a number of organisations working in the area of suicide prevention and provision of support and information for those affected by any of the items mentioned earlier.
Most people who consider suicide do communicate their distress at some level. Sometimes these signals are overt but often they are less obvious. The key is to be vigilant, to recognise when something may be wrong and to engage with that person and explore what they are thinking. Knowing the routes of support that are available to someone who is vulnerable is also important, so that we can refer them for professional help and support.
Additional Info
Aware is a national organisation
working to support those who
experience depression and to
support their families. Support
groups currently meet in more
than 60 locations nationwide, and
it includes groups
for relatives of those affected and
groups specifically for young
people aged 18-25.
Research previously commissioned by Aware shows that support group meetings, when combined with other information on depression, are an effective way of coping with the condition, reducing relapse rates, suicidal outcome and other disruptive effects of mood disorder.
Aware offers a loCall helpline 1890 303 302, which is open 365 days a year, as well as a free information pack to anyone concerned about depression. Aware also runs awareness campaigns, as well as information seminars for companies and community groups.
Aware
72 Lwr Leeson Street, Dublin 2
telephone: 01 661 7211
email: info@aware.ie
www.aware.ie
Console offers support services for those who have been bereaved by suicide. For more information call 01 857 4300 or visit www.console.ie
ElectricAID contributes
€1.2m to suicide
prevention
In less than two years ESB
ElectricAID Ireland has
directed funding worth €1.2
million into the area of suicide
prevention, significantly more
than the annual budget of €0.5
million for the National Office
of Suicide Prevention.
Funding has gone into 120 separate projects all over Ireland and this money has been one of the catalysts of a national fight-back against the suicide epidemic.
We have funded small community groups, national charities and research bodies. People with an idea, programme or service that can help turn the tide and avoid tragic and unnecessary waste of hope, potential and life. We have funded life-saving on the Shannon and the Foyle, counselling for thousands of at-risk people, training and education for community activists, research into the suicide phenomenon, support for those bereaved by suicide, and community efforts to inform, avoid and protect.
We are proud of our efforts on your behalf. We are sure that they have saved lives, and continue to do so.
ESB ElectricAID Ireland, Suicide Funding Classification, 2005-2007.
Counselling, Therapy & Personal Development: €37
Research: €7
Community Awareness & Events: €17
Training & Education: €16
Helpline, textline & online support: €6
Bereavement support: €8
Mental Health Awareness & Services: €11
Physical Suicide Prevention: €4
Organisational development & support: €3
Publicity, information & drama projects: €8
Resource Centres: €3
Total Funding (€1.201 million) 120 projects
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