Suicide is an increasingly worrying issue around the world, with the rates of people taking their own lives on the increase. On average, twice as many people take their own lives as are murdered – this amounts to around 100 Americans every day, and many more (around 8 million Americans) seriously consider taking their own lives every year.
It is such a serious problem that Governments are now looking at strategies to help safeguard the mental health of people and increase wellbeing in order to lower the worrying suicide statistics. The role of everyone has been called on in the fight against suicide, and it has been recognised that wellness can be increased.
An important area where work is needed is to reduce the numbers of self-inflicted deaths is amongst military service personnel. There was a 22 percent increase in 2012 in the number of suicides amongst active-service personnel, while the suicides amongst veterans also increased. It is sobering to realise that suicides cause more deaths in the army than combat or even motor vehicle incidents.
This can be attributed, at least in part, to post traumatic stress disorder. Suicide prevention has to be the way forward. This can hopefully be achieved in a number of ways.
Health care reform should take mental health and suicide reform into consideration, providing more strategies for dealing with those who are at risk of suicide. In addition to this, the situation should be monitored so that any changes in suicide rates can be noted.
Having people change the way that they think and talk about suicide is also really important. The media should be encouraged to promote mental health, resilience, support and recovery and to help change attitudes towards suicides.
The use of Facebook will also be encouraged, with family and friends encouraged to report any worrying status updates and comments to a helpline. Relatives and friends of those at risk of suicide are also encouraged to limit their access to guns and to watch out for symptoms of depression.
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