The reality of Suicide and how to prevent it from Psychotherapy

It continues to be, today, a taboo subject about which there are many myths. In fact, in many cultures the fact of taking one's own life consists, in addition to being taboo, an immoral act or even a crime. All this has made it enormously difficult, throughout history, to talk about this phenomenon with the naturalness necessary to deal with it in a practical way.

However, suicide is a chilling reality that, according to the WHO (World Mental Health Organization) calculation in 2014, kills more than 800,000 people in the world each year. These data place suicide as the tenth leading cause of death globally; Not counting the numerous failed attempts that are made annually and the people who have recurring suicidal ideas that never materialize. In this article we will review the most important factors of suicide and how to deal with it from psychological work.

• Related article: "Suicidology: what it is, characteristics and objectives of this science"

Suicide: risk factors to consider

To begin with, it must be taken 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 which are the most common factors that encompass this problem, among which are the following:

• Facts that impact our psyche, such as the death of a loved one, a traumatic dismissal or psychological abuse.
• Easy access to weapons and other items such as toxic substances.
• Suicidal history in the family.
• Constant consumption of altering substances, such as drugs or alcohol.
• Presence of psychological disorders, to which must be added the social stigma that these problems still carry and that can alter the person's emotional stability.

The methods used by suicide bombers depend on the situation and the elements at hand; the most common are poisoning and suicide by firearm (despite the obvious difficulty involved in getting hold of one).

Rich countries are not spared from this reality; In countries where there are more economic difficulties, suicides among young people (between adolescence and thirty years) are much more frequent.

• You may be interested in: "Mental health: definition and characteristics according to psychology"

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 conduct; Suicide continues to be a highly worrying issue worldwide.

To face this reality, the WHO has urged the different countries to develop the appropriate measures to curb the suicide rate within their borders; Despite the enormous economic investment that this entails, it is necessary to change the suicide figures in the world.

Some of the measures recommended by the WHO are immediate hospitalization for people who show obvious and clear indications of wanting to commit suicide or that they are immersed in one or more factors risky. Likewise, the WHO considers preventive psychological therapy of vital importance and the implementation, at individually, of activities that reduce depressive states, such as sports and relaxation exercises and meditation.

• Related article: "Suicidal thoughts: causes, symptoms and therapy"

The importance of psychotherapy to prevent suicide

It must not be forgotten that suicidal behavior does not appear spontaneously; In most cases, there are physical and/or mental health problems among its main triggers. That's why, it is important to value psychotherapy services as a resource to face realities such as major depression, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, or bipolar disorder, among others. Through an intervention program adapted to the needs of the patient, it is possible to act on the root of the psychopathology and make the person gain autonomy and capacity to redo their life.

Factors that help prevent suicide

Before we have commented which are the factors that imply a greater risk of suicide; Next, we will explain which are those that, on the contrary, help prevent it. These factors include:

• Solid support, both family and social.
• Easy access to psychology professionals and psychosocial professionals.
• Have an active role in the immediate environment.
• An adequate learning of personal skills, as well as emotional management, which helps to face highly stressful moments in life.
• Treatment of possible psychological disorders that may exist under suicidal ideation (OCD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, etc.).
• Treatment of possible taboos on suicide.

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, Therefore, cognitive behavioral therapy is a very effective tool when it comes to preventing suicide.

Preventing major depression, which is at the base of half of the people who commit suicide, is a highly effective measure, since it cuts the root of the problem and prevents, in this way, that the discomfort becomes so unbearable as to think about removing the life. Let's remember that This depression is very often linked to a precariousness of life: 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.