Suicide; Humanity’s silent assassin.

In the history of the world, the human race has borne witness to countless epidemics of sicknesses. In the 21^st century, as the world develops at a rapid rate; a new epidemic threatens humanity. A subtler yet extremely detrimental disease: suicide.

You walk past hundreds of faces each day. Have you ever stopped to think that some of those people are contemplating to end their lives? Or that some of them have already tried?

Suicide is growing at an alarming rate worldwide. The World health organisation estimates that approximately one million people end their lives each day. Estimates say that 1 person loses their life to suicide every 40 seconds. If it takes you 5 minutes to read this article, approximately 8 people somewhere in the world have ended their lives. The issue of Suicide only becomes more worrying when it is revealed that suicide is the second leading cause for death in young individuals. With statistics the likes of which have been mentioned above; it is clear that Suicide is a serious threat to human life in today’s world.

Mental health plays a large role in most cases of suicide. According to the WHO, 90% of suicide victims have suffered some sort of mental health disorder such as depression. This highlights the importance of being considerate of mental health and spreading awareness about its importance. Mental health is as important as physical health and therefore should be given as much priority.

In some societies, there is a certain stigma that surrounds mental health issues such as depression. People suffering from such issues are seen as unpredictable and in a negative light. Sometimes family members of the victim may be ashamed to reveal to the outside world that a close relative is suffering from a mental health issue in fear of being stigmatised. This may result in them not seeking treatment for the problem at hand and neglecting the victim. The result of this is that the victim suffers greatly and if they are not able to find help elsewhere, they might see suicide as their only option. In certain cases, Mental health is not seen with the seriousness that it deserves, and victims are asked to ignore it; this too is a wrong, ignorant and possibly harmful way of thinking. It is needless to say that in this day and age such attitudes should change, and those suffering from mental health should be seen with sympathy and need to be supported; especially by close friends and family.

According to studies, Youth are the most vulnerable group to depression and suicide is the second leading cause of death in this group. This could be explained by the stressful conditions endured by this group, especially as a result of the pressure they are subject to in things such as academics. An example of this is the stress that students in Sri Lanka who sit the local ordinary level examinations are subject to. These students are under immense pressure from parents and teachers to perform well, and if they do not they are likely to be reprimanded and stigmatised. Statistics have shown that there is a high rate of suicide among such students. This begs the question, is having good grades and being accepted by society more important than an individual’s life?

There are several other factors that contribute to suicide in this age group. The rise of Cyber bullying has played a role in the increase of adolescent suicide rates. So, have family problems, stressful lifestyles, social pressure and much more.

For those who maybe contemplating suicide; You are loved. You matter. Someone cares. You are not alone. Life should not have an eject button. In this journey we are strapped in, in stormy skies and in clear skies. Your pain maybe extreme, but it does not have to be permanent. You can pull through, and you do not have to do so alone. Speak to someone; a parent, a teacher, a close friend, the school counsellor, anyone you trust. Do not assume that no one cares. Always remember that things such as grades do not represent who you are and how good you are. Neither do your mistakes. A bad grade or a bad decision does not mean that you are worthless; despite what anyone might say. No difficulty lasts forever, and although that may be difficult to understand during a trying time, it is the truth. You do not have to fight alone. Your happiness is in you, do not let others control it. If you need help; ask. Do not think that any difficulty is worth your life.

Suicide is one of the many tribulations that humanity faces today. However, this issue can be resolved. It takes unity, tolerance, patience, compassion and understanding. Mental health is extremely important. If someone is suffering, they need to be helped; and helping them is our duty as human beings. So, let us come together and help those who grapple with suicidal thoughts every day. Let us care.