Do we need a helpline for suicide in Oman?
Published: 03:01 PM,Jan 07,2023 | EDITED : 06:01 PM,Jan 07,2023
Few weeks ago, we heard about the sad case where a couple committed suicide by hanging in their home - leaving behind young children who could be traumatised for a very long time.
Last year we read about the college student who posted her suicide note on Twitter then killed herself before she could receive professional help.
I remember how the public reacted differently to such cases, and when a group of psychologists passed on an online petition for a hotline dedicated for people who have suicidal thoughts.
I signed the petition along with other colleagues but am not aware of any progress in that matter. This made me ask the question, do we really need a hotline in Oman for people thinking of ending their lives?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide among people aged 15-29 years. It is a complex behaviour as it involves the ending of one’s life, which is in my opinion against human nature.
What goes through the minds of people who commit suicide is still a mystery since very few people survived a suicide attempt were able to tell us.
Several psychological theories have been suggested to explain the events leading to the act of suicide, with most stating that the person’s lack of fear of death and pain gives him the ability to overcome any hesitation.
A suicidal person may lack the ability to understand how his death might impact his family and friends.
Suicide prevention hotline are available in most countries as a way of helping people who are having suicidal behaviour. Staff members who operate these lines are trained to deal with people in distress without judging their feelings, actions or personal circumstances.
They truly listen to callers and let them know that someone does care about their lives. Callers often open up to strangers in an honest way that they find difficult to do elsewhere, as the lack of visual contact makes it feel less intrusive.
Hotline operators can make referrals to mental health professionals that many callers follow up on. So what would be the challenges to setting up suicidal help line in Oman?
Obstacles can be divided into those related to the person experiencing suicidal thoughts - which includes stigma and fear of being known and exposed to the community which would carry with it feelings of shame – and the fear of being judged by the operator who may have his own religious and cultural beliefs about suicide.
The most important objectives to creating such a system are having enough trained and qualified counsellors to operate the suicide helpline and another team of health care professionals to provide the long-term care for the person to prevent further suicidal acts.
Raising awareness is even more important and a wider health and education campaign addressing misconception about mental health and mental illness should be held.
After 27 years of practicing psychiatry in Oman, I still have patients and sometimes students asking if “real Muslims get mental illness.”
I summarise my answer by saying that everyone is susceptible to mental illness regardless of their faith. Sometimes our religious beliefs help us process trauma and accept misfortune events but some trauma is difficult to handle for the person experiencing mental health problems.
Such people need help without being judged.
Despite the challenges, I think it’s time to address the issue of suicide and improve the existing services.
Last year we read about the college student who posted her suicide note on Twitter then killed herself before she could receive professional help.
I remember how the public reacted differently to such cases, and when a group of psychologists passed on an online petition for a hotline dedicated for people who have suicidal thoughts.
I signed the petition along with other colleagues but am not aware of any progress in that matter. This made me ask the question, do we really need a hotline in Oman for people thinking of ending their lives?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide among people aged 15-29 years. It is a complex behaviour as it involves the ending of one’s life, which is in my opinion against human nature.
What goes through the minds of people who commit suicide is still a mystery since very few people survived a suicide attempt were able to tell us.
Several psychological theories have been suggested to explain the events leading to the act of suicide, with most stating that the person’s lack of fear of death and pain gives him the ability to overcome any hesitation.
A suicidal person may lack the ability to understand how his death might impact his family and friends.
Suicide prevention hotline are available in most countries as a way of helping people who are having suicidal behaviour. Staff members who operate these lines are trained to deal with people in distress without judging their feelings, actions or personal circumstances.
They truly listen to callers and let them know that someone does care about their lives. Callers often open up to strangers in an honest way that they find difficult to do elsewhere, as the lack of visual contact makes it feel less intrusive.
Hotline operators can make referrals to mental health professionals that many callers follow up on. So what would be the challenges to setting up suicidal help line in Oman?
Obstacles can be divided into those related to the person experiencing suicidal thoughts - which includes stigma and fear of being known and exposed to the community which would carry with it feelings of shame – and the fear of being judged by the operator who may have his own religious and cultural beliefs about suicide.
The most important objectives to creating such a system are having enough trained and qualified counsellors to operate the suicide helpline and another team of health care professionals to provide the long-term care for the person to prevent further suicidal acts.
Raising awareness is even more important and a wider health and education campaign addressing misconception about mental health and mental illness should be held.
After 27 years of practicing psychiatry in Oman, I still have patients and sometimes students asking if “real Muslims get mental illness.”
I summarise my answer by saying that everyone is susceptible to mental illness regardless of their faith. Sometimes our religious beliefs help us process trauma and accept misfortune events but some trauma is difficult to handle for the person experiencing mental health problems.
Such people need help without being judged.
Despite the challenges, I think it’s time to address the issue of suicide and improve the existing services.