A ”plan for life” could help save the life of a teenager with suicidal thoughts or tendencies, says Roshni Parbhoo of the SA Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag).
Parbhoo told the South African Press Association that teenage suicide is becoming more common in South Africa.
”At this time of the year depression and anxiety is on the increase due to stress around exams and upcoming exam results,” said Parbhoo.
”There is a major link between depression and suicide. Many depression-related suicides occur during the first three depressive episodes before a person learns that an episode of suicidal thinking is temporary.”
Parbhoo said it was important to have a course of action ready before thoughts of suicide occur.
Some people found it helpful to develop a ”plan for life” which lists warning signs to watch out for and actions to take if some one finds themselves slipping into suicidal thoughts.
Many teenagers who try to commit suicide are unsuccessful and most of them try again. Most of these teenagers do realise that they have a problem but do not know who to turn to.
”This is where the ”plan for life” would come in handy,” said Parbhoo.
Such a plan may include contact information of a doctor, including back-up phone numbers like emergency services, numbers of friends and family members that you trust and would want to talk to.
”It is important to keep a description of any other medical problems you may have, including information about any medication you are taking,” Parbhoo said.
”Your hospital or clinic reference number or medical aid number is just as important and you should have the contact information for the toll free suicide hotline (0800-567-567)”.
Parbhoo advised that a person’s plan should also be handed to people who are trusted so they could provide support and act quickly if the need arose.
”Most of the time teen depression is a passing mood. Sadness, loneliness, grief and disappointments we all feel at times, and are normal reactions to life’s struggles. However, undiagnosed depression can lead to tragedy so the ‘plan for life’ could come in handy.”
”There is no set ‘plan for life’ drawn up that teenagers could refer to because people are different. Each person should draw up a plan for themselves and give it to people that they think could help them,” said Parbhoo.
She added that teenage suicide was becoming more common every year, with only car accidents and homicide killing more young people between the ages of 15 and 24. Nine percent of all teenage deaths were caused by suicide in 2005.
Research conducted by Sadag indicates that although more females attempted suicide, more males succeeded.
This was because boys selected a more violent form of suicide.
”Girls are more likely to overdose on medication or take chemicals, whereas boys often hang themselves or find access to firearms,” said Parbhoo.
She said emotional support was important to help people with suicidal tendencies.
A person who is suicidal needs to know that someone cares for them.
”Ask questions, help the person discuss his/her feelings, learn all you can about depression because you might be that person’s only source of information.”
Parbhoo advised not to be harsh when talking to someone who was considering suicide.
”Avoid phrases like ‘snap out of it’ and remind them that they should not be ashamed or feel guilty.”
It is important to let people know that their feelings were caused by an illness that could be treated. More than 70% of people with suicidal tendencies fully recover after treatment.
Key signs of depression which could lead to suicide include:
- loss of interest in things formerly enjoyed;
- sadness that does not go away;
- irritability or anger
- feeling guilty or hopeless;
- feeling tense or worrying a lot;
- crying more than usual;
- spending much time alone;
- eating too much or too little;
- sleeping too much or too little;
- having low energy or restless feelings;
- missing school often;
- having trouble thinking or paying attention;
- and thinking of dying or killing yourself.
”A person who is thinking about suicide must go out more often and must surround themselves with friends and family. It is important for a friend or family member to encourage them to go out or to offer to spend time with them,” said Parbhoo.
It was not a good idea to promise secrecy to someone who said they wanted to commit suicide. It was better to immediately tell someone who could be trusted.
Besides exam stress and depression, factors like mounting poverty, unemployment, escalation in drug use, the HIV/Aids pandemic and peer pressure add to the growing suicide rate among teenagers.
Teenagers could also contact the national toll free suicide line on 0800-567-567. Skilled counsellors support these lines. There are also programmes for schools that would like to run awareness campaigns or schools that are dealing with the loss of a child through suicide.
Further information is available from www.anxiety.org.za. – Sapa