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SUICIDE

IntroductionSuicide is a multi-dimensional disorder, which results from a complex interaction of biological,

genetic, psychological and environmental factors. It also refers to death as a result of self-

inflicted harm where the intention was to die whereas, attempted suicide refers to self-inflicted

harm where the intention was to die but death does not occur. Suicide in Pakistanhas been a

long-term social issue and is a common cause of unnatural death. Incidents of suicide are often

reported in the press and newspapers throughout the country as well as by several non-

governmental organizations. Research indicated that the majority of subjects were under the age

of 30 and that "domestic problems" are the main reason stated for suicide. Stress factors such

as financial difficulties or troubles with interpersonal relationships often play a significant role as

well. Hanging, use of insecticides and firearms are the most common methods for carrying out

suicide in Pakistan. In the wake of terrorism and militancy gripping the country, there has

additionally been a rise in the concept of suicide bombings as well. The World Health

Organization (WHO) estimates that suicide is the leading cause of death Pakistan. It is a leading

cause of death among teenagers and adults under 35. In Pakistan most suicides occur in young

people and the suicide rate is higher in women than men. There is compelling evidence that the

suicide ratio has gradually been increasing in Pakistan over the last few years and that the

upward trend has been very dramatic with almost 3,000 cases of suicide being reported in 2001

nationally.

Reasons

Despite being a leading cause of death, both in Pakistan and worldwide, there is little hard

evidence to explain why some people commit suicide while other people in similar

circumstances do not. However, some important factors that makes suicide more likely have

been identified. These are explained below.

life history - for example having a traumatic experience during childhood, such asbereavement

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mental health - for example developing a serious mental health condition, such asschizophrenia

lifestyle - people who misuse alcohol and drugs are at increased risk of suicides job - poor job security, low levels of job satisfaction or not having a job can increase a

persons risk of dying by suicide

relationships - people who are socially isolated and have few close relationships withothers have a higher risk of dying by suicide

As well as these factors, one or more stressful events may push a person "over the edge" and lead

to suicide. The amount of stress it takes to do this will depend on the persons level of

vulnerability.In some cases, it may only take a minor event, such as having an argument with a

partner. In other cases, it may take one or more very stressful or upsetting events before a person

feels suicidal, such as a partner dying or being diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Mental health conditions

Having a mental health condition is the most significant risk factor for suicide.

It is estimated that 90% of people who attempt or die by suicide have one or more mental health

conditions. The mental health conditions that lead to the biggest risk of suicide are described

below.

Severe depression

Severe depression is where a person has severe symptoms of despair and hopelessness that

interfere with their life.

Schizophrenia

People with schizophrenia are most at risk of suicide when their symptoms first begin. The risk

reduces as they learn to cope with their condition.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder is where a person has persistent, recurring feelings of stress and

anxiety

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Other risk factors for suicide

Other factors that can increase the risk of suicide include:

having a history of parental neglect, either emotional or physical neglect or both having a parent with a serious mental health condition, such as severe depression

or schizophrenia

having a parent who died by suicide having previously attempted suicide being socially isolated, such as living alone or having few close friends or family

members

being unemployed, having poor job security or working in an unskilledoccupation

being in debt being homeless being recently released from prison having recently experienced a traumatic event, such as the end of a relationship or

the death of a loved one

misusing drugs or misusing alcohol working in an occupation that provides access to potential ways of dying by

suicide, such as working as a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, farmer or as member of

the armed services

A newer theory of suicide

A newer theory about suicide, devised by an American psychologist called Thomas Joiner, states

that three main factors can cause someone to turn to suicide. They are:

a perception (usually mistaken) that they are alone in the world and that no onereally cares about them

a feeling (again usually mistaken) that they are a burden on others and that peoplewould be better off if they were dead

fearlessness towards pain and death

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The last factor poses the biggest risk that someone will go through with a successful suicide

attempt.

The theory argues that fearlessness towards pain and self-harm may be learnt over time, which

could explain the strong association between self-harming behavior and suicide.

People who are regularly exposed to the suffering and pain of others may develop this

fearlessness over time. This could help explain why suicide rates are higher in occupations that

are linked to such exposure, such as soldiers, nurses and doctor.

Suggestions

In Pakistan, suicide rates have been increasing tremendously. So there is a great need to take

preventive measures so that this rate can be reduced. Prevention (intending to prevent

thoughts of suicide or prepare persons for the possibility of thoughts of suicide in the future),

and longer-term treatment/therapy (also intending to prevent future suicidal acts) and

intervention (intending to prevent thoughts from becoming suicidal acts) are all important in

an overall prevention strategy. Safety plans should be implemented to minimize the risk

factors that apply to the particular person at risk. Though thinking about suicide may be

difficult if not impossible to prevent, preventing thoughts of suicide from moving on to

become suicidal actions is achievable. Given current knowledge about reducing suicidal

behaviors, I believe intervention should be a communitys main suicide prevention focus.

Well, various suicide prevention strategies can be used which are as follow:

Promoting mental resilience through optimism Educating about suicide, including risk factors, warning signs and the availability of

help

Increasing the proficiency of health and welfare services at responding to people inneed, this includes better training for health professionals and employing crisis

counseling organizations.

Reducing domestic violence and substance abuse are long-term strategies to reducemany mental health problems.

Reducing access to convenient means of suicide (e.g. toxic substances, handguns etc.) Reducing the quantity of dosages supplied in packages of non-prescription medicines

e.g. aspirin

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Interventions targeted at high-risk groups Reviewing the law regarding suicides in Pakistan Making suicide prevention telephone hotlines Increasing budget (spending) on mental health Initiating school based interventions Implementing strategies that restrict the act to lethal ways of suicide Promoting the religious belief that suicide is prohibited in Islam

It has also been suggested that news media can help prevent suicide by linking suicide with

negative outcomes such as pain for the suicide and his survivors, conveying that the majority

of people choose something other than suicide in order to solve their problems, avoiding

mentioning suicide epidemics, and avoiding presenting authorities or sympathetic, ordinary

people as spokespersons for the reasonableness of suicide. So the media can also play a very

significant role in suicide prevention.

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References

www.wikipedia.org

www.answers.com

www.slideshare.net