Let's Talk - Suicide in Sri Lanka

 Suicide in Sri Lanka is a topic that no one wants to talk about. Many will say that it is not their problem. But guess what, It may be your problem one day too. Before going to the numbers related to Suicidal activities I would like to remind you that Suicide can be prevented And you should play an active role in the society to care for others to prevent this. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately One Million people die by committing suicide every year. That means there is a person who is attempting to take his own life as you are reading the article, once every 40 seconds. The sad part of the story is this rate is currently increasing year by year. During the last four and half decades, the suicidal rate has gone up by 60%, becoming one of the three leading causes of the global deaths of people in the age group 15-44. In Sri Lanka suicide rate is 14.6 over 100,000 People. (2018) That has made Sri Lanka get the 29th among 157 Countries in the world in 2018. Over the years Rates of suicide has dropped but it is not over. We can make it minimized by simply doing some good.

What Causes Suicidal Thoughts?

• Depression
• Family History (Mental Issues, Violence, Abuse, Family suicides)
• Feeling Hopeless
• Loneliness
• Problems with the law
• Influence of Drugs and Alcohol
• Childhood abuse
• Having dangerous weapons or having access to those
• Unaccepted sexual identity
• Financial Problems and Risky jobs
• Having attempted to suicide before
• Lack of sleep
• Medical Conditions such as gender dysphoria, dissociative identity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) etc.

Identifying the Suicidal thoughts

• Saying that they are a burden to other people or society.
• Feeling hopelessness in life.
• Distancing themselves from Friends and Family.
• Talking about death and suicide.
• Dull feelings/extreme mood swings.
• Giving away possessions.
• Saying goodbye to friends and family for no reason. 
• Losing interest in activities.

What should I do?

1. Do not Take their Feelings invaluable. You may think that "Is that a valid reason to suicide?" Yes! It might to the person. So in these times please Take it the hell seriously!
2. Suicide attempt is a Cry for Help. So at all times if a person is coming to you with a problem in their life, please be kind to them and let them speak. 
3. Listen to them well. All they want you to do is listen. Listen to their problem well And make conversation with them. Try to find the core problem.
4. Gently ask about Suicide. By this, I highlighted the gentle manner because sometimes it may even trigger the urge to commit suicide. But do not be afraid to ask about them.
5. Do not leave them. When they are in danger and you can see that they are unstable. Do not leave them alone.
6. Encourage them to seek help from a mental health professional.

In Sri Lanka, there are several Institutes to contact when there is a suicide attempt. 

Sri Lanka Sumithrayo - 0112696666

CCCFoundation - 1333

National Institute of Mental Health - 1926

These are several facts that we should know in approaching a person who is about to do a Possible suicide attempt. The main thing we should remember from these is to Be a Supportive Friend! Be a good listener! And Love everyone. As you may already know, love is Sharing and Caring. So share happiness and care for everyone. If that is a fact Suicide attempts will be reduced to a minimum and this society will be a perfect place to live in. So guys, Spread the love!