Breaking stigma: A path to suicide prevention
Published: 04:09 PM,Sep 15,2024 | EDITED : 08:09 PM,Sep 15,2024
A client who attended my clinic last week informed me that his cousin shot himself and died. The family noticed that he was becoming more withdrawn, neglecting himself, and refusing to go to work.
He was once observed trying to strangle himself with a scarf and when someone suggested they take him to the psychiatric hospital the elders in the family protested saying it would bring shame to the family and “what would people say about us”.
The family then took the young man to a traditional healer who gave him some herbal liquid to drink and advised him to pray. The following night the family woke up to the sound of a gunshot and found the young man dead.
Tragically, stories like this are not unique to one family. The ripple effects of suicide can be felt worldwide.
The September 10 was designated by the WHO as World Suicide Prevention Day, which is dedicated to addressing this serious phenomenon, raising public awareness, and encouraging government to develop national strategies for suicide prevention.
Suicide is a devastating act that leaves loved ones grappling with mixed emotions and unanswered questions such as, “Why did they do it?” “Why didn’t they ask for help?” and “Could we have done something to stop them?”
Some family members experience complicated grief, sadness, and anger. They may struggle with feelings of abandonment, believing that the deceased chose to ‘leave them behind.’
This highlights the critical need for targeted support and interventions for survivors to help them cope with the immense burden of grief and prevent further tragedy.
So, what can be done to prevent suicide in Oman?
In my opinion, the first step is to combat the stigma surrounding mental health, which is the main reason why people are reluctant to seek help. In Oman and other Islamic societies, many people believe that mental illness, including suicide, stems from ‘not being spiritual enough.’
This perception can make individuals contemplating suicide feel even more hopeless, as they may blame themselves for their condition rather than seeking support.
Another key step is to ensure timely and effective access to mental health care.
Many people in crisis, especially those contemplating suicide, cannot wait for a routine clinic appointment. Therefore, it is essential to develop crisis response services and mental health facilities that are readily available and equipped to handle urgent situations. This includes helplines, crisis intervention teams, and walk-in mental health clinics.
While mental illness is one of the leading causes of suicide, we must also address other significant social and economic factors, such as unemployment, bullying, social isolation, and the lack of social cohesion.
These issues often exacerbate feelings of despair and hopelessness.
National strategies should incorporate comprehensive social policies that support those facing these challenges, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
By addressing mental health openly and ensuring timely support, we can save lives. Each of us has a role to play in preventing suicide — whether through raising awareness, offering support to those in need, or pushing for improved mental health services.
He was once observed trying to strangle himself with a scarf and when someone suggested they take him to the psychiatric hospital the elders in the family protested saying it would bring shame to the family and “what would people say about us”.
The family then took the young man to a traditional healer who gave him some herbal liquid to drink and advised him to pray. The following night the family woke up to the sound of a gunshot and found the young man dead.
Tragically, stories like this are not unique to one family. The ripple effects of suicide can be felt worldwide.
The September 10 was designated by the WHO as World Suicide Prevention Day, which is dedicated to addressing this serious phenomenon, raising public awareness, and encouraging government to develop national strategies for suicide prevention.
Suicide is a devastating act that leaves loved ones grappling with mixed emotions and unanswered questions such as, “Why did they do it?” “Why didn’t they ask for help?” and “Could we have done something to stop them?”
Some family members experience complicated grief, sadness, and anger. They may struggle with feelings of abandonment, believing that the deceased chose to ‘leave them behind.’
This highlights the critical need for targeted support and interventions for survivors to help them cope with the immense burden of grief and prevent further tragedy.
So, what can be done to prevent suicide in Oman?
In my opinion, the first step is to combat the stigma surrounding mental health, which is the main reason why people are reluctant to seek help. In Oman and other Islamic societies, many people believe that mental illness, including suicide, stems from ‘not being spiritual enough.’
This perception can make individuals contemplating suicide feel even more hopeless, as they may blame themselves for their condition rather than seeking support.
Another key step is to ensure timely and effective access to mental health care.
Many people in crisis, especially those contemplating suicide, cannot wait for a routine clinic appointment. Therefore, it is essential to develop crisis response services and mental health facilities that are readily available and equipped to handle urgent situations. This includes helplines, crisis intervention teams, and walk-in mental health clinics.
While mental illness is one of the leading causes of suicide, we must also address other significant social and economic factors, such as unemployment, bullying, social isolation, and the lack of social cohesion.
These issues often exacerbate feelings of despair and hopelessness.
National strategies should incorporate comprehensive social policies that support those facing these challenges, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
By addressing mental health openly and ensuring timely support, we can save lives. Each of us has a role to play in preventing suicide — whether through raising awareness, offering support to those in need, or pushing for improved mental health services.