Suicide awareness

Last updated

Suicide awareness is a proactive effort to raise awareness around suicidal behaviors. It is focused on reducing social stigmas and ambiguity by bringing attention to suicide statistically and sociologically, and by encouraging positive dialogue and engagement to prevent suicide. Suicide awareness is linked to suicide prevention as both address suicide education and the dissemination of information to ultimately decrease the rate of suicide. Awareness is the first stage that can ease the need for prevention. Awareness signifies a fundamental consciousness of the threat, while prevention focuses on stopping the act. [1] [2] Suicide awareness is not a medical engagement but a combination of medical, social, emotional and financial counseling. Suicide awareness in adolescents focuses on the age group between 10–24 years, beginning with the onset of puberty. [3]

Contents

Stigma and ambiguity

Stigmas are negative impacts that society can often attribute to the suicidal condition and which can hinder and prevent positive engagement with those demonstrating suicidal behavior. It can be experienced as a self-stigma or cultural, public stigma. Self-stigma is the adverse effect of internalized prejudice, manifesting in reduced self-esteem, decreased self-efficacy, and a feeling of "why try" or self-deprecation (undervaluing any attempts to get a job, be social, etc., because of lack of self-worth). [4]

Stigma can be experienced not only by those facing suicidal thoughts but also by those directly and indirectly affected, such as friends and family members. Public stigma is experienced by prejudice and discrimination through public misuse of stereotypes associated with suicide. [4] Stigma can create a detrimental barrier for some seeking help. Research has consistently illustrated the physical link between suicide and mental illness. [5] However, ignorance and outdated beliefs can sometimes lead to these disorders being mislabeled as a weakness or a lack of willpower. [5] Stigma can prevent survivors of suicide attempts and those affected by suicide deaths from reaching out for support from professionals and advocates to make positive changes. [6]

Historical stigma

Historically, suicide has not always been considered a societal taboo. [7] It is critical to understand the historical context in order to raise awareness of suicide's impact on our current culture. Suicide was embraced as a philosophical escape by the followers of the Greek philosopher Epicurus when life's happiness seemed lost. [7] It has been glorified in self-immolation as an act of martyrdom as in the case of Thích Quảng Đức who burned himself to death in protest of South Vietnam’s religious policy. [8] Assisted suicide as a release from suffering can be traced back to ancient Roman society. [7] In Jewish culture, there is a reverence for the mass suicide at Masada in the face of attack by the Roman Empire, showing how suicide has sometimes had a contradictory relationship with established religion. This indicates a tension between the presentation of suicide in this historical context, and its associations in our current society with personal anguish.

Today, suicide is generally perceived as an act of despair or hopelessness, or a criminal act of terrorism (suicide attack). This negative backdrop was seen in Colonial America, where suicides were considered criminal and brought to trial, even if mental illness had been present. [9] : 25  In Roman Catholicism suicide is seen as a sinful act, with religious burial prohibited until 1983, when the Catholic Church altered the canon law to allow funerals and burials within the church of those who died by suicide. [7] Today, many current societies and religious traditions condemn suicide, especially in Western culture. [9] : 23  Public consideration of suicide in our culture is further complicated by society's struggle to rationalize such cult events as the Heaven's Gate mass suicide. In light of these mixed historical messages, it can be confusing for youth presented with an academic and historical profile for suicide. The ambiguity of accepted suicide and suicidal behavior definitions impedes progress with its utilization of variable terminology. [9] : 27 

Public and cultural stigma

Today, even though suicide is considered a public health issue by advocates, the general public often still consider it a private shame; a final desperate solution for the emotionally weak. [10] It is stigmatized in the public perception by being associated with weakness, a "cry for attention," shame, and depression, without understanding the contributing factors. There can be a visceral and emotional reaction to suicide rather than an attempt to understand it. This reaction is based on stereotypes (overgeneralizations about a group: weak or crazy), prejudices (agreement with stereotypical beliefs and related emotional reactions: Sue attempted suicide; 'I'm afraid of her'), and discrimination (unfair behavior towards the suicidal individual or group: avoidance; 'suicidal people should be locked up'). [11]

Erving Goffman defined courtesy stigma as the discrimination, prejudice and stereotypes experienced by friends and family as suicide survivors. [11] Public stigma is felt by medical professionals whose clients die by suicide and whose treatment is then questioned by colleagues and in lawsuits, often contributing to their being less inclined to work with suicidal patients. [12] Property can also be stigmatized by suicide: property sellers in certain jurisdictions in the United States, in California for example, are required by law to reveal if a suicide or murder occurred on the premises in the past three years, putting suicide in the same category as homicide. These issues compound and perpetuate the public stigma of suicide, exacerbating the inclination for suicidal individuals, and their family and friends, to bury their experiences, creating a barrier to care. [11]

Emotional stigma

Emotionally, the negative stigma of suicide is a powerful force creating isolation and exclusion for those in suicidal crisis. [13] The use of stereotypes, discrimination, and prejudices can strip the dignity of those experiencing suicidal thoughts. It also has the potential to inhibit compassion from others and to diminish hope. [14] Fear of being socially rejected and labeled suicidal can prevent communication and support. [13] Distress and reduced life satisfaction are directly affected by subjective feelings of being devalued and marginalized, which develops into an internalized stigma. This leads to self-stigmatized emotions, self-deprecation and self-actualization of negative stereotypes, causing further withdrawal, reduction in quality of life and inhibiting access to care. [13]

This emotional stigma also affects suicide survivors–those suffering the loss of a loved one–stirring up guilt, self-blame, isolation, depression and post-traumatic stress. [15] Subjective experiences of feeling shunned or blamed for an incident can cause those close to the victim to bury the truth of what transpired.

Awareness factors

Suicide awareness expresses the need for open constructive dialogue as an initial step towards preventing incidents of adolescent suicide. Once the stigmas have been overcome, there is an increased possibility that education, medical care and support can provide a critical framework for those at risk. Lack of information, lack of awareness of professional services, judgment and insensitivity from religious groups, and financial strain have all been identified as barriers to support for those youth in suicidal crisis. The critical framework is a necessary component to implementing suicide awareness and suicide prevention, and breaking down these barriers. [15]

Protective factors

Protective factors are characteristics or conditions that may have a positive effect on youth and reduce the possibility of suicide attempts. [16] These factors have not been studied in as much depth as risk factors, so there is less research. They include:

It is important to note, however, that in-depth training is paramount for those involved in any service that looks to the awareness and needs of those touched by suicide. [15]

Social media

In the past suicide awareness and prevention have relied only on research from clinical observation. In bringing insights, intimate experience, and real-world wisdom of suicide attempt survivors to the table, professionals, educators, and other survivors can learn firsthand from their "lived experience." [17] : 8 

Media and journalism, when reporting on suicide, have moved forward in their discussion of suicide. The Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide discovered the powerful impact that media coverage, newspapers and journalists can have on perpetuating the stigma of suicide, and that it can lead to greater risk of occurrence. The specific rules that media representatives should follow are:

This is to prevent certain types of messaging around suicide that could increase the chances of at-risk youth considering or attempting suicide. This initiative brought awareness to the importance of sensitivity when reporting on suicide in a constructive, destigmatized method of messaging. [17]

Social agency

Education in a non-threatening environment is critical to a growth in awareness among adolescents. Health education is closely related to health awareness. [19] School can be the best place to implement a suicide education program because it is the pivotal location that brings together the major influences in an adolescent's life.[ citation needed ] Pilot programs for awareness, and coping and resiliency training should be put into place for all adolescent school-aged children to combat life stressors and to encourage healthy communication. [9] : 15 

Related Research Articles

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people in the United States from the ages of 9 to 56.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suicide prevention</span> Collective efforts to reduce the incidence of suicide

Suicide prevention is a collection of efforts to reduce the risk of suicide. Suicide is often preventable, and the efforts to prevent it may occur at the individual, relationship, community, and society level. Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have long-lasting effects on individuals, families, and communities. Preventing suicide requires strategies at all levels of society. This includes prevention and protective strategies for individuals, families, and communities. Suicide can be prevented by learning the warning signs, promoting prevention and resilience, and committing to social change.

Social stigma is the disapproval of, or discrimination against, an individual or group based on perceived characteristics that serve to distinguish them from other members of a society. Social stigmas are commonly related to culture, gender, race, socioeconomic class, age, sexual orientation, sexuality, body image, physical disability, intelligence or lack thereof, and health. Some stigma may be obvious, while others are known as concealable stigmas that must be revealed through disclosure. Stigma can also be against oneself, stemming from negatively viewed personal attributes in a way that can result in a "spoiled identity".

Suicide intervention is a direct effort to prevent a person or persons from attempting to take their own life or lives intentionally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suicidal ideation</span> Thoughts, ideas, or ruminations about the possibility of ending ones life

Suicidal ideation, or suicidal thoughts, is the thought process of having ideas, or ruminations about the possibility of completing suicide. It is not a diagnosis but is a symptom of some mental disorders, use of certain psychoactive drugs, and can also occur in response to adverse life events without the presence of a mental disorder.

Mental distress or psychological distress encompasses the symptoms and experiences of a person's internal life that are commonly held to be troubling, confusing or out of the ordinary. Mental distress can potentially lead to a change of behavior, affect a person's emotions in a negative way, and affect their relationships with the people around them.

Youth suicide is when a young person, generally categorized as someone below the legal age of majority, deliberately ends their own life. Rates of youth suicide and attempted youth suicide in Western societies and other countries are high. Youth suicide attempts are more common among girls, but adolescent males are the ones who usually carry out suicide. Suicide rates in youths have nearly tripled between the 1960s and 1980s. For example, in Australia suicide is second only to motor vehicle accidents as its leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 25.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suicide</span> Intentional act of causing ones own death

Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders, physical disorders, and substance abuse are risk factors. Some suicides are impulsive acts due to stress, relationship problems, or harassment and bullying. Those who have previously attempted suicide are at a higher risk for future attempts. Effective suicide prevention efforts include limiting access to methods of suicide such as firearms, drugs, and poisons; treating mental disorders and substance abuse; careful media reporting about suicide; improving economic conditions; and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Although crisis hotlines are common resources, their effectiveness has not been well studied.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Association of Suicidology</span> American nonprofit organization

The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which advocates for suicide prevention. It was established in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, who has been called "a pioneer in suicide prevention." Its official journal is Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, published six times a year by Wiley-Blackwell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gender differences in suicide</span>

Gender differences in suicide rates have been shown to be significant. There are different rates of suicides and suicidal behavior between males and females. While females more often have suicidal thoughts, males die by suicide more frequently. This discrepancy is also known as the gender paradox in suicide.

Research has found that attempted suicide rates and suicidal ideation among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth are significantly higher than among the general population.

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is an awareness day always observed on 10 September every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world since 2003. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) to host World Suicide Prevention Day. In 2011 an estimated 40 countries held awareness events to mark the occasion. According to WHO's Mental Health Atlas released in 2014, no low-income country reported having a national suicide prevention strategy, while less than 10% of lower-middle income countries, and almost a third of upper-middle and high-income countries had.

Minority stress describes high levels of stress faced by members of stigmatized minority groups. It may be caused by a number of factors, including poor social support and low socioeconomic status; well understood causes of minority stress are interpersonal prejudice and discrimination. Indeed, numerous scientific studies have shown that when minority individuals experience a high degree of prejudice, this can cause stress responses that accrue over time, eventually leading to poor mental and physical health. Minority stress theory summarizes these scientific studies to explain how difficult social situations lead to chronic stress and poor health among minority individuals.

Mental illnesses, also known as psychiatric disorders, are often inaccurately portrayed in the media. Films, television programs, books, magazines, and news programs often stereotype the mentally ill as being violent, unpredictable, or dangerous, unlike the great majority of those who experience mental illness. As media is often the primary way people are exposed to mental illnesses, when portrayals are inaccurate, they further perpetuate stereotypes, stigma, and discriminatory behavior. When the public stigmatizes the mentally ill, people with mental illnesses become less likely to seek treatment or support for fear of being judged or rejected by the public. However, with proper support, not only are most of those with psychiatric disorders able to function adequately in society, but many are able to work successfully and make substantial contributions to society.

In colleges and universities in the United States, suicide is one of the most common causes of death among students. Each year, approximately 24,000 college students attempt suicide while 1,100 students succeed in their attempt, making suicide the second-leading cause of death among U.S. college students. Roughly 12% of college students report the occurrence of suicide ideation during their first four years in college, with 2.6% percent reporting persistent suicide ideation. 65% of college students reported that they knew someone who has either attempted or died by suicide, showing that the majority of students on college campuses are exposed to suicide or suicidal attempts.

LGBT psychology is a field of psychology of surrounding the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals, in the particular the diverse range of psychological perspectives and experiences of these individuals. It covers different aspects such as identity development including the coming out process, parenting and family practices and support for LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as issues of prejudice and discrimination involving the LGBT community.

Suicide among Native Americans in the United States, both attempted and completed, is more prevalent than in any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. Among American youths specifically, Native American youths also show higher rates of suicide than American youths of other races. Despite making up only 0.9% of the total United States population, American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) are a significantly heterogeneous group, with 560 federally recognized tribes, more than 200 non-federally recognized tribes, more than 300 languages spoken, and one half or more of them living in urban areas. Suicide rates are likewise variable within AIAN communities. Reported rates range from 0 to 150 per 100,000 members of the population for different groups. Native American men are more likely to commit suicide than Native American women, but Native American women show a higher prevalence of suicidal behaviors. Interpersonal relationships, community environment, spirituality, mental healthcare, and alcohol abuse interventions are among subjects of studies about the effectiveness of suicide prevention efforts. David Lester calls attention to the existence and importance of theories of suicide developed by indigenous peoples themselves, and notes that they "can challenge traditional Western theories of suicide." Studies by Olson and Wahab as well as Doll and Brady report that the Indian Health Service has lacked the resources needed to sufficiently address mental health problems in Native American communities. The most complete records of suicide among Native Americans in the United States are reported by the Indian Health Service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT health in South Korea</span>

The health access and health vulnerabilities experienced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA) community in South Korea are influenced by the state's continuous failure to pass anti-discrimination laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The construction and reinforcement of the South Korean national subject, "kungmin," and the basis of Confucianism and Christian churches perpetuates heteronormativity, homophobia, discrimination, and harassment towards the LGBTQI community. The minority stress model can be used to explain the consequences of daily social stressors, like prejudice and discrimination, that sexual minorities face that result in a hostile social environment. Exposure to a hostile environment can lead to health disparities within the LGBTQI community, like higher rates of depression, suicide, suicide ideation, and health risk behavior. Korean public opinion and acceptance of the LGBTQI community have improved over the past two decades, but change has been slow, considering the increased opposition from Christian activist groups. In South Korea, obstacles to LGBTQI healthcare are characterized by discrimination, a lack of medical professionals and medical facilities trained to care for LGBTQI individuals, a lack of legal protection and regulation from governmental entities, and the lack of medical care coverage to provide for the health care needs of LGBTQI individuals. The presence of Korean LGBTQI organizations is a response to the lack of access to healthcare and human rights protection in South Korea. It is also important to note that research that focuses on Korean LGBTQI health access and vulnerabilities is limited in quantity and quality as pushback from the public and government continues.

Youth suicide in India is when young Indian people deliberately end their own life. People aged 15 to 24 years have the highest suicide rate in India, which is consistent with international trends in youth suicide. 35% of recorded suicides in India occur in this age group. Risk factors and methods of youth suicide differ from those in other age groups.

People who are LGBT are significantly more likely than those who are not to experience depression, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder.

References

  1. ↑ "Awareness. (n.d)" . Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  2. ↑ "Prevention. (n.d.)" . Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  3. ↑ Lerner, R. M.; Steinberg, L. (2009). The scientific study of adolescent development: Historical and contemporary perspectives. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. pp. 3–14.
  4. 1 2 Corrigan, Patrick W.; Michaels, Patrick J.; Vega, Eduardo; Gause, Michael; Watson, Amy C.; Rüsch, Nicolas (2012-08-30). "Self-stigma of mental illness scale--short form: reliability and validity". Psychiatry Research. 199 (1): 65–69. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2012.04.009. ISSN   1872-7123. PMC   3439592 . PMID   22578819.
  5. 1 2 Caruso, K. "Stigma and suicide". Suicide.org.
  6. ↑ "Stigma and discrimination" (PDF). Visions: BC's Mental Health and Addictions Journal. 2 (6). BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information: 21–22. Summer 2005.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "The stigma of suicide". Lighthouse: A Beacon of Hope. 4 June 2012.
  8. ↑ Harding, James M. (September 2016). "Incendiary Acts And Apocryphal Avant-Gardes: Thích Qung Ðú'c, Self-Immolation, and Buddhist Spiritual Vanguardism". PAJ: A Journal of Performance and Art. 38 (3): 31–50. doi:10.1162/PAJJ_a_00333. ISSN   1520-281X.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Goldsmith, S.; Institute of Medicine (U.S.) Committee on Pathophysiology & Prevention of Adolescent & Adult Suicide (2002). Reducing suicide: A national imperative. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.
  10. ↑ Rubin, Bonnie Miller (2015-01-18). "Suicide attempt survivors come out of the shadows". Chicago Tribune.
  11. 1 2 3 Corrigan, Patrick W.; Sheehan, Lindsay; Al-Khouja, Maya A.; the Stigma of Suicide Research Team (September 2017). "Making Sense of the Public Stigma of Suicide: Factor Analyses of Its Stereotypes, Prejudices, and Discriminations". Crisis. 38 (5): 351–359. doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000456. ISSN   0227-5910. PMID   28337924. S2CID   24565020.
  12. ↑ Anderson, Sulome (20 January 2015). "How Patient Suicide Affects Psychiatrists". TheAtlantic.com. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  13. 1 2 3 Scocco, Paolo; Castriotta, Cristina; Toffol, Elena; Preti, Antonio (December 2012). "Stigma of Suicide Attempt (STOSA) scale and Stigma of Suicide and Suicide Survivor (STOSASS) scale: Two new assessment tools". Psychiatry Research. 200 (2–3): 872–878. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2012.06.033.
  14. ↑ Suicide Attempt Survivors Task Force of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (July 2014). "The way forward: Pathways to hope, recovery, and wellness with insights from lived experience" (PDF). Suicide Attempt Survivors Task Force of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention.
  15. 1 2 3 Peters, Kath; Cunningham, Colleen; Murphy, Gillian; Jackson, Debra (October 2016). "Helpful and unhelpful responses after suicide: Experiences of bereaved family members: Helpful and Unhelpful Responses after Suicide". International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. 25 (5): 418–425. doi:10.1111/inm.12224. PMID   27037948.
  16. 1 2 "Model school district policy on suicide prevention: Model language, commentary, and resources" (PDF). American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 2016. p. 3.
  17. 1 2 3 National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Suicide Attempt Survivors Task Force. (2014). The way forward: Pathways to hope, recovery, and wellness with insights from lived experience. Washington, DC: Author, p. 17.
  18. ↑ Pirkis, Jane; Blood, R. Warwick; Skehan, Jaelea; Dare, Andrew (2010-08-31). "Suicide in the News: Informing Strategies to Improve the Reporting of Suicide". Health Communication. 25 (6–7): 576–577. doi:10.1080/10410236.2010.496771. ISSN   1041-0236. PMID   20845148.
  19. ↑ Jodoin, Elizabeth C.; Robertson, Jason (March 2013). "The Public Health Approach to Campus Suicide Prevention". New Directions for Student Services. 2013 (141): 15–25. doi:10.1002/ss.20037.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.