September is the month in which the awareness campaign on suicide prevention is carried out, the 10th of that month being the World Suicide Prevention Day. This campaign, known as "Yellow September", was created in Brazil in 2015 by the Center for the Valorization of Life (CVV), the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) and the Brazilian Association of Psychiatry (ABP). This is a campaign of extremely important, since suicide is a serious public health problem and can often be avoided.
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The importance of talking about suicide
Although the subject is sensitive, it is important to talk about suicide and ways to prevent it. Many people think that this act is a distant reality and that it affects few people, but unfortunately, the data from World Health Organization (WHO) show otherwise. According to WHO, every 40 seconds, a person dies by suicide somewhere on our planet. This means that, in a year, more than 800,000 people lose their lives this way.
The causes of suicide are varied and, according to the CVV, specialists identify mental disorders in most people who commit suicide or who try to do so. Among the main disorders observed, the
depression in simple form, the depression in form bipolar, The chemical dependency and the schizophrenia.However, we cannot say that all people who commit suicide have these disorders. We must not forget that suicide often happens impulsively in the face of some very impactful and unexpected situations of life, such as the end of relationships, loss of loved ones, abuse or even financial crises. Suicide is also common in people who suffer discrimination, as refugees, immigrants, gays, lesbians, transgenders and intersex.
When we understand that suicide is a reality and that it can affect people around us, it becomes clearer that it is essential to talk about it. Suicides can be prevented as long as we know about their symptoms, their causes and ways to avoid them.
Did you know that in Brazil there is an institution that offers emotional support and works to prevent suicide? It is the Center for the Valorization of Life (CVV), a non-profit association. If you need to chat, just call 188 or access the chat on CVV website. Telephone and chat work 24 hours a day, every day of the week. |
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How can we help to prevent suicide?
To contribute to the prevention of suicide, we must be able to understand the warning signs that a person issues. If you notice that a person, for example, is uninterested (even in the activities they enjoyed), they no longer have the same productivity at school or at work, you are isolating themselves from friends and relatives, neglecting their appearance, no longer caring about their daily activities or saying many sentences related to death, this could be signs that that person is in need of help.
The first step is to talk to this person, but here's an important tip: let the person speak, without issuing judgments or opinions on the matter. Make it clear that your only desire is to help. What we must always remember is that we must not measure the pain of others by our personal experiences. and understanding that what does not affect us does not necessarily cause pain and suffering in the other.
It is important to always encourage the person who is showing signs that he intends to commit suicide to look for expert help. In visibly serious cases, it is essential that the family is aware of the situation, as well as close friends, so that the person is welcomed and encouraged to seek help.
If you realize that the person is at immediate risk, it is essential don't leave her alone. In such cases, contact emergency services and someone you trust.
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Suicide Data
Here are some important facts about suicide.
Suicide data in Brazil and in the world |
According to WHO, every 40 seconds, a person commits suicide in the world. |
Suicide, according to WHO, is the second leading cause of death among people aged between 15 and 29 years. |
79% of suicide cases occur in low- and middle-income countries according to WHO. |
According to the Ministry of Health, women attempt suicide more than men. |
According to CVV, 32 Brazilians die every day of suicide victims. |
According to WHO, 90% of suicides are preventable. |
By Ma. Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/saude/setembro-amarelo.htm