Rising suicide rates throws mental health into spotlight
The rising suicide rates are concerning now more than ever as new research shows a rapid increase in the number of people experiencing anxiety and depression (the leading causes of suicide) as result of Covid-19.
Saturday, September 10, was world suicide prevention day, a day designated to provoke thought and action which will help prevent suicides.
The pandemic has resulted in a 25% increase in the numbers of those suffering from mental illness. Researchers say this sharp rise is the result of all the difficulties of Covid-19, such as isolation from friends and family, difficulty in adjusting to the change in work environments, financial burdens, fear of infection, the grief of losing loved ones to the virus and the crippling worry of having those close to you battling for their lives as a result of Covid-19 infection.
Additionally, Pietermaritzburg psychologist Perventhri Pillay suggests many people have faced “increasingly higher levels of stress in this technologically powered world.” Covid-19 significantly magnified that burden of engaging with technology as remote working and learning became mainstream.
Although not spoken about very often, every year over half a million people are lost to suicide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that more than 700 000 people die by suicide each year. In South Africa, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) reports that 23 suicides and 230 serious attempts occur every day.
After taking in all the research and context, the question remains, what can we do?
In our communites, and around the world, intense stigmatisation still surrounds mental illness. Such stigmatisation may seem innocuous, but it has real world effects. Namely, minimisation and shame surrounding mental health prevents those needing support from reaching out. Thus, we need to start participating and facilitating discussions about mental health and treatments to reaffirm or reinstate a healthy mental state.
• Listen to those who are experiencing depression and/or heightened anxiety with an open mind, asking questions only when absolutely necessary and ensuring that we ask questions as sensitively as possible.
• Encourage people living with mental illness to seek professional help so that they may have the tools to cope with stressors, triggers, and depression.
Sadag’s operations director Cassey Chambers, in a recent interview with the SABC, stressed the importance of professional help by saying that “the leading cause of suicide is undiagnosed or untreated depression”.
Furthermore, 70% of South African’s who attempted suicide had been battling with a mental health disorder.
If you or someone you love is at risk of suicide, please go to www. sadag.org or contact Sadag on 080 021 2223 for more information on treatment for mental illness and details about joining a support group.