The rate at which people are committing suicide is so disturbing and scary .The write looks at this issue of suicide from different angles and give some suggestions to help people who may be on the verge of commiting suicide .
Life is not a straight line .(Chaka 2023).As one travels the journey of life it is important to realize that life is full of surprises .Sometimes things don’t go the way you planned or anticipated them.When the unexpected happens many times people find themselves stuck and for a moment it seems like their world has crumbled and there is no way out .It is during such times that some take their lives .They look into the future and see it as bleak as never before .
The issue under discussion is something that affects all age groups and it transcends cultural ,socio economic and political barriers .The haves and the have nots have died after commiting suicide .
In some cases a person seem to be experiencing a force greater than themselves and so they end up taking the suicide route but in the process also regrets and at times it may be too late especially if they have taken lethal substance which kills in seconds .Unless the heavens intervene the person will die within a few minutes .
Some of the signs that someone is contemplating suicide are as follows :
1 .They isolate themselves from others
2.They play music which has something to do with death
3 .They talk frequently about death
4.They experience insomnia
5.They lose appetite and some actually lose weight as well .
6.They stop doing things they used to enjoy eg visiting the gym
7.They are easily irritated
8.They miss deadlines at work .
9.They are depressed
10. They may no longer value relationships
11.They stop going to church and some miss family gatherings for no apparent reason.
12.They can be absent from work without even communicating with the authorities.
These are warning signs that someone is contemplating suicide .Some begin abusing substances and drugs .They may actually go around provoking others and itching for a fight .
Below are some of the ways to help a such a person .
1 .Don’t judge them engage and listen to their narrative .
2 .If you are a religious leader don’t quote a lot of scriptures listen and pay attention to their narrative .
3.Be careful of your non verbal language especially facial expressions.Let you face and your words be congruent .
4.Explore and dig further to find out what may be triggering such thoughts to kill self .
5.Establish rapport with them and assure them you want to assist them to experience life differently .
6. Get help from relatives , friends ,work mates or spouse where ever possible .Take caution that the person you are bringing in as a support system is not part of the challenge triggering such thoughts.
7.As you talk assess the level of seriousness of the threat to kill self. What method are they planning to use ? . For example if they have already bought a bottle of a deadly pesticide ,it is an emergency.Seek help from police ,relatives or mental health trained professionals .If the risk is low then proceed to help them deal with the situation that is triggering such emotions .
Wherever possible check with them if they know the implications of commiting suicide from a cultural point of view for example .Share that in the African context especially in Zimbabwe if one commits suicide their body is not allowed to be taken into a house before burial .The body is taken outside the village and put in a temporary shelter.The next day the body is taken out of that place for burial and usually clothes and items belonging to the deceased are put together with the body in the grave !.
Some funeral parlours don’t provide services even if your subscriptions were up to date .This is how society frowns upon suicide .
In towns your body is taken from wherever it may have been temporarily kept and straight for burial.
The writer would like to submit that as people we should look for safe outlets to vent our emotions and share life issues .Find someone to talk to and share your experiences .Wherever possible get professional help from trained counselors or mental help professionals.
Professor Elias Chakabwata is the Executive President of Impact Training Institute which train different professional courses as well as provide life coaching programs to organizations and individuals .He can be contacted on 0784288687.
