Suicide is a behavior that can be prevented

Cyprus International University (CIU) Psychological Counseling and Guidance Center’s (PCGC) Expert Psychologist Huriye Koruşan, reminding that the World Health Organization declared 10th September as ‘World Suicide Prevention Day’, stated that the aim of this day is to raise awareness in relation to suicide, which is a threat to human life, where an individual knowingly ends their own life due to this behavior, and to emphasize that suicide is a behavior that can be prevented.

Drawing attention to the fact that suicide is not just an important problem that effects the individual, but is a problem that effects the family, social environment, the society, and everyone that is exposed to it, Koruşan explained that when it comes to suicide prevention efforts, it is not just the people surrounding the individual experiencing the problem that is part of this struggle, but every individual of the society.

Stating that research on this subject has determined the most common risk factors as being gender, unemployment, hopelessness, loneliness, and psychiatric disorders, Koruşan added that when looking at the statistics it displays that on a ratio, females suicide attempts are twice more than males, however it was established that on a ratio, the male suicide attempts result in death more often than that of females.

Noting that being informed on the warning signs plays an important role in the struggle against suicide, Koruşan advised that there are different warning signs.

Koruşan explained that if the individual or someone they are close to experienced something that shook them up, if they are introverts, constantly talking about dying, are hopeless, feel helpless, feel as though they do not have any reason to live, if there is an increase in their consumption of alcohol or drugs, have a depressive mood but they suddenly act like they are someone that is very happy, if they suddenly begin to give out personal items that were valuable to them, that we need to pay attention to these, and went on to say, “We should not refrain from making direct communication with this individual and ask them if they have any thoughts of suicide”.

Explaining that many people are concerned that should they bring up the subject of suicide to someone who is having suicidal thoughts, then it might encourage them to do it, Koruşan added, “To the contrary, openly discussing this subject with the individual shows them that they are important to you and that you want them to openly share their pain with you”.

In her statement, Koruşan concluded by saying, “Listening without judgement, ensuring they know that they are not alone in their struggle against the pain they feel they cannot overcome, contributing to their attaining the professional help they need, and not leaving alone an individual who feels they are not safe, are all important factors”.