Five ways to combat suicidal thoughts

Suicide is the third most common cause of death for those aged 15 to 29 worldwide, with over 720,000 suicide deaths reported year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Suicidal thoughts can be caused by a number of things, such as mental health conditions like PTSD and depression, sexual abuse experiences, low self-esteem, chronic pain, illness, substance abuse, loneliness, and hopelessness, as well as traumatic events, failure, and broken relationships. These and other reasons may encourage someone to think of ending their own life.

Tragically, a 300-level University of Lagos medical student recently committed suicide.

While the specific causes of his death remain unknown, a few of his classmates conjectured that difficulties in school and poor grades may have played a role in his decision.
Whatever the reason, he had probably been struggling with suicide thoughts for a while before to the occurrence.

Suicide may never be totally eradicated, but there are efforts that may be taken to drastically lower the incidence of suicide.

1. Companionship: Feeling a sense of belonging is a basic human need. Building strong social connections and fostering companionship can help alleviate loneliness, which is often a trigger for suicidal thoughts.

2. Therapy: Therapy is an effective treatment for mental health issues or emotional struggles. By working with a trained mental health professional, individuals can address conditions such as depression and PTSD, which are common causes of suicidal ideation.

3. Promoting Mental Health Care: Many people neglect their mental health simply because they don’t see its importance. Raising awareness about the benefits of mental health care can encourage people to take better care of themselves, which in turn helps to reduce suicidal thoughts and attempts.

4. Identify and Assist at-risk Individuals: Suicide is often preceded by ongoing suicidal thoughts. Recognizing signs of distress in others and offering help, encouragement, and support can be crucial in preventing a tragedy.

5. Awareness and Education: There is a stigma that seeking help is a sign of weakness, but it’s a sign of strength. Raising awareness about suicide and providing education—especially in schools—can empower people to seek help and better understand mental health, ultimately reducing suicide rates.