According to World Health Organization report (March 2025), 720,000 people died due to suicide every year. It is the third leading cause of death among the 15–29-year-olds. Suicide studies in Kerala, India (September 2024) estimate that people commit suicide due to family issues (47.4%); mental health and physical abuse (21%), and drug abuse (9.7%). Quite recently, we heard the alarming news in Kerala about two mothers leaving the world with their innocent beautiful young children along with them, which is heart breaking. How can we detect and prevent this suicide pandemic? Families, churches, and society must be aware of the issues that people face personally and socially. We fail in this area, including myself.
What are the risk factors?
From my readings and past observations, a few factors that push vulnerable individuals to give up hope of a peaceful life on earth and end their lives are found. The most important factors include depression, mental health issues, bullying, different types of abuses, domestic violence, sexual and physical abuse, losing a loved one, job loss, financial pressures, legal issues, substance abuse, negative socialization, crisis situations, and in US, prejudices and stigmas attached with race, gender, disability, and sexual identity.
Methods of Suicide: overdosing on drugs, shooting themselves, drinking poison, hanging, jumping in front of vehicles etc.
Warning signs and Diagnosis: Early diagnosis is very crucial. Pay close attention to the behavior patterns of the individual, including words of hopelessness or any mention of “suicide.” Learn the signs.
Prevention and Care
Prevent the individual from any access to the means and methods of suicide. Someone should be around the individual all the time. Never ignore the symptoms. Search for help for oneself and the person who exhibits restlessness and helplessness. Stress factors of the person should be avoided. Medical intervention, psychiatric and psychological counselling, support groups, and prayer groups which genuinely understand and are not judgmental, are of immense importance. Changing the environment is helpful. Talk with the individual privately in a safe and calm environment without any blame. Let him/her understand that you care about the person’s life. Resources like Suicide.org; and other international hotlines are available for emergency assistance. In US, call 988.
Rosamma Thomas
