When life loses hope... SUICIDE

Lockdown has taken so many lives, people have depressed to the extent of committing suicides. Repeated similar news made me write this blog, taking some social responsibility. I hope this may at least add to your knowledge and may be of help to anyone who is not in good state of mind. It is very disheartening when any human commits suicide due to any reasons.

It’s not that this is happening only in pandemic, we have heard of suicides due to various reasons all these years. Farmer suicide, love triangles, exam failure tensions, family issues, domestic violence, corporate stress, business failure,  failure in relationships, Inability to have kids and many more. We live a stress full life and somewhere it leads to mental illness or mental health issues.

A person commits suicide due to his inability to live happily due to any reason, but the main cause is his mental state of mind which does not allow him to come out of the thought of finishing self. Committing or assisting suicide is crime U/s 309 of IPC. Thou the Mental Healthcare Act 2017, says any person who attempts to commit suicide shall be presumed unless proved otherwise to have severe stress and shall not be punished.

According to data so far 300 people have committed suicide due to various reasons in lockdown.80 people have committed suicides due to loneliness and fear of being tested positive for Covid-19. Her figure is not important; suicide in itself is such a painful decision. I would say in a general human being has decided to not live for their own reason, but we need to understand whatever the reason was, the main cause is they were not accompanied by any family member, or friend to hear them. These human beings are not limited or restricted to any caste, region, field or financial condition.

Suicide Prevention India Foundation

Imagine they did not find anyone to talk to or share their burden before they took the decision. How come human beings got into so much of loneliness in spite of increasing connectivity tools? 

Economic uncertainty and social isolation made things worse and created mental health crises. Supporting family friends and colleagues during such a critical situation is very important. We all are worried about the pandemic and checking on our physical health, but it is equally important to check the impact on mental health also. Here we don’t need to be experts just few actions of concern may help.

Just check in- We might not be able to meet due to social distancing but you can always pick up a phone and have call. Have group chats, have video calls, let people around you know you are listening. Connect to someone you think needs to be listened to.

Listen and reflect-Thou we are in the sound of health, there are chances of getting into disturbing mental health due to the panic around or say it’s a challenging time for our mental health wellbeing. If someone is sharing their issues or concerns, you just need to listen and revert in your capacity. Many times it is not about giving a solution it’s about listening, just giving an ear. Listening to a person is a big action. Show that you are taking him seriously maybe that can help.

Ask questions- If you find someone around you is not opening up but is in some distress, you can visit them again and ask questions. At times just asking again and again or showing interest helps a person to open up. Your asking question shows the person you are interested in to know his well being.

Unfortunately, it is believed that people who are not enough strong, say fearful or cowardly tend to choose the easier way, but you never know how hard the person must have tried in his limits before taking the decision. Do not judge them. There must be people around who are silently seeking for help.

There are various platforms to discuss mental health being, there are suicide intervention centers. The volunteers are given intensive training so that they can help you deal with emotional breakdowns.

Suicide is a very important public health issue, I am writing this blog just because I care for every human being around me. Thou I am not a trained person for counseling I believe just sharing and caring would definitely help the aggrieved. 

Let us see how to overcome suicidal thinking, these points are applicable in general, today due to pandemic we have some limitations as we all are at home or say restricted to go out.

• Get out for a while: Changing the location helps if it stressful to stay at your place or visit some friends you like to stay with. working out a bit releases happy hormones, Jog at home, go for walk, dance at home. Watch your favorite movie or something you enjoy even cartoon movies. Visit new places you like to like exhibitions, library.
• Be creative: Involve yourself in some creative activities like drawing, painting, writing something new, may be short stories, poems, just making colorful rangolis, making meals, craft, art anything you enjoy doing.
• Sooth yourself: Go for Yoga, meditate, and listen to your favorite songs or even solo performance, monologues. 
• Try and relax: Take a shower with warm water trying to relax you. Take a body massage. Take a nap. Taking enough sleep can also help; if not able to relax take small naps whenever possible.
• Positive Company: Be surrounded with people who make you believe in yourself, encourage you. Keep a positive company.

If at all the thought comes, please hold yourself back thinking about your loved ones who will be in permanent pain without you. Everything in life can be gained and can be overcome to expect life, if anyone gives up.

Do a small exercise, take a pen and paper, and write down all positives in your life. It will be difficult to write them or count them in such a stage where you feel low. Life is very precious. Be thankful for everything you have, the opportunities you got. I can help you write some positives...

1. Having parents is also luck because not all have
2. Having a house to live in
3. Having family
4. Getting food twice in day
5. Being educated to read and write
6. Having all your body parts in place 

And many more there people who do not have all this and still struggle to live with high spirits. Let’s learn from them and look towards new sunrise, new hope of life, and a new day, let’s look at better tomorrow.