The Reality Of Suicide And How To Prevent It Through Psychotherapy
It is still, today, a taboo subject about which there are many myths. In fact, in many cultures, taking one’s own life is, in addition to being taboo, an immoral act or even a crime. All of this has made it extremely difficult, throughout history, to talk about this phenomenon with the naturalness necessary to confront it in a practical way.
However, suicide is a chilling reality that, according to the WHO (World Mental Health Organization) in 2014, kills more than 800,000 people in the world each year. These data place suicide as the tenth cause of death globally; not counting the numerous failed attempts that are made annually and the people who have recurrent suicidal ideas that never materialize. In this article We will review the most important factors of suicide and how to deal with it through psychological work.
To begin with, we must take into account that The factors that can trigger suicidal ideation are not only related to psychological disorders but also with certain environmental and social circumstances, such as problems in the family environment and economic precariousness.
In order to adequately prevent suicide, it is necessary to keep in mind what are the most common factors that encompass this problem, among which are the following:
The methods used by suicides depend on the situation and the elements at hand; The most common are poisoning and suicide by firearm (despite the obvious difficulty of obtaining one).
Rich countries are not saved from this reality ; In countries where there are more economic difficulties, suicides among young people (between adolescence and thirty) are much more frequent.
So how to prevent suicide?
It has been shown that the analysis of these factors has not given the expected results in the prevention of this behavior; Suicide continues to be a highly worrying issue worldwide.
To face this reality, the WHO has urged different countries to develop appropriate measures to curb the suicide rate within their borders; Despite the enormous economic investment that this entails, it is necessary to change suicide figures in the world.
Some of the measures recommended by the WHO are immediate hospitalization for people who show obvious and clear signs of wanting to commit suicide or who are immersed in one or more risk factors. Likewise, the WHO considers preventive psychological therapy and carrying out, at an individual level, activities that reduce depressive states, such as sports and relaxation and meditation exercises, of vital importance.
The importance of psychotherapy to prevent suicide
We must not forget that suicidal behavior does not appear spontaneously; In most cases, there are physical and/or mental health problems among its main triggering elements. That’s why, It is important to value psychotherapy services as a resource to deal with realities such as major depression, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, or bipolar disorder, among others. Through an intervention program adapted to the patient’s needs, it is possible to act on the root of the psychopathology and make the person gain autonomy and the ability to rebuild their life.
Before we have commented on the factors that imply a greater risk of suicide; Next, we will explain which ones, on the contrary, help prevent it. These factors include:
Depression, low quality of life and suicide
It is very common for people who commit suicide or attempt to do so to present symptoms of major depression, which is why cognitive behavioral therapy is a very effective tool when it comes to preventing suicide.
Preventing major depression, which is at the root of half of the people who commit suicide, is a highly effective measure, since it cuts off the root of the problem and, in this way, prevents the discomfort from becoming so unbearable as to think about taking your own life. Let us remember that This depression is very commonly linked to vital precariousness: low income, difficult access to health and education, etc. Governments should, therefore, encourage measures that improve the quality of life and well-being of these people.
