Every 40 seconds someone in the world die by suicide, according to World Health Organization (WHO). Approximately 1.3% of deaths in 2019 were due to suicide. Suicide is when a person is forced to take their lives as a result of excessive mental pressure or sorrow. It is never a choice. To create awareness and sensitivity regarding suicide and various issues that lead an individual to take this extreme step, World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10 every year.

World Suicide Prevention Day theme from 2021 across 2023 is ‘Creating Hope Through Action.’

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Here are ways you can detect early warning signs in a person and what to do if you find someone prompted to take the step.

Suicide risk factors 

There can never be an exact reason as to why a person died by suicide but certain characteristics are associated with increased odds of having suicidal thoughts. Here are some factors involved.

1- Some mental health issues including depression, conduct disorders, and substance abuse

2- Family stress

3- Work tension and humiliation

4- Ragging

5- Situational crisis (e.g., traumatic death of a loved one, physical or sexual abuse, family violence)

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Warning signs

Most people demonstrate some clear signs and statements that can give an insight into a disturbed person’s mind and can act as warning signs. All we need is everyone to observe people around them to catch these signs.

1- Suicidal threats in the form of direct (“I am going to
kill myself”) and indirect (“I wish I could fall asleep and never
wake up again”) statements.

2- Online behaviour (what a person reads and posts across his social media)

3- Prior suicidal behaviour.

4- Making final arrangements (e.g., making funeral
arrangements, writing a will, giving away prized possessions).

5- Changes in behaviour, appearance, thoughts and/or feelings.

What should you do

You have caught signs of suicidal thoughts, the work is not done. Most people don’t know how to approach a person with such thoughts, what to say and what not and when to say something. Here is what you should say when someone around you gets suicidal thoughts.

1- Remain calm

2- Ask a person directly if they are planning to take any extreme step

3- Get professional help

4- Don’t leave the person alone

5- Remove means for self-harm.