Suicide: You can reverse the march

It's a hard reality, difficult to understand: what makes someone decide to terminate that which is most precious, feeling not worth living this life that lies ahead? The restlessness to try and understand how an act so shocking is great, but it is not worth seeking scapegoats because the explanation is never simple.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there are always, not one, but several factors that put at risk an individual, being that in addition to the diversity and complexity of each of these factors, it is necessary to consider that interact with each other.

Much of what is known about suicide comes from studies in which family members or friends interviewing researchers developing a work called "psychological autopsy", which try to identify a posteriori specific events of one's life and symptoms of psychiatric illness. And they have concluded that genetic, emotional, environmental and social factors combine culminating in an act of desperation, of which the following stand out as major risk factors:

• Depression or another mental disorder or substance dependence (more than 90% of the people who commit suicide have these states)

• Suicide attempt

• Family history of mental disorders, substance abuse or suicide

• Family violence, including violence, physical or sexual abuse

• Weapons at home

• Exposure to suicidal behaviors of others (family, peers or media figures)

The feeling of "dead end"

Data published in the journal Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior regarding a new research suggests that one of the predominant factors is the feeling that it is not possible to continue to support the psychological pain and doubt if any day is possible (the feeling of being in a "dead end").

The data indicate that a suicide attempt may not only be an act impulsive or a request for help, unlike defended by previous studies; may be, yes, reflective of a "tank" of pain and sorrow accumulated, which joins the disbelief that some day this "deposit" can drain and become less painful, and the perception of death a factor that may distinguish those who think about suicide from those who actually practice - the smaller fear there is dying, the greater the risk.

Suicide is considered globally as a public health problem in both industrialized countries and in developing countries, permanently being investigated

Several studies suggest that the trend of increasing rates in most countries is due to the loss of social cohesion, the disappearance of family structures, the increase of economic instability and increase in unemployment and while also increasing the prevalence of disorders of depression.

One million cases per year

every year dies a million people commit suicide. A total mortality that represents a death every 40 seconds and a suicide attempt every 3 seconds. Furthermore, the behaviors of suicide are more extensive and numerous, going far beyond the acts faits accomplis and attempts.

In addition to the deaths recorded as suicide, there are many other designated violent deaths uncertain of which it is estimated that more than 75% are hidden suicides.

According to a document, it is estimated that about 20 million Europeans suffer from depression and more than 60,000 die each year by suicide.

In Portugal, the common mental disorders affect nearly 23% of adults (over two million per year) and depression affects 7.9% of adults (400,000 people), the suicide a resultant medical complication of these mental disorders, particularly depression.

Although according to the WHO suicide rates overall have fallen over the last 15 years there has been a tendency only found in Europe in Malta, Iceland and Poland. In addition, also there is a inverse trend in young people, with a gradual increase from year to year.

Currently, at least 100,000 teenagers commit suicide each year, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and it is estimated that the number of suicide attempts is 20 times the number of suicides.

The differences between men and women are very strong. The Child Studies Center concludes that, in the United States, in between the ages of 10 and 14 years old boys committing suicide with three times more often than girls, between the ages of 15 and 19 years the number changes to five times more and, finally, between the ages of 20 and 24, triggers for 10 times more.

These differences are explained, in part, by the fact that the boys use particular methods to hurt more lethal. Exceptions to these values are China, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador and Sri Lanka where the rates among women are higher.

You can reverse the march
The many requests that mark the rhythm of life of our days can mean that people no longer repair truly into each other, even when they live under the same roof; let up repairing itself and its needs.

The stress hides everything and the tiredness tends to be a universal explanation.

The prevention of suicide is not something that is reserved for physicians and other health care professionals; it must be a concern shared by all of us. All data reinforce the need to be aware of the signs pronounced, the behavioral changes, the changes in the pattern of relationships, the breakages pronounced income, the sudden loss of interest and pleasure.

And if every day we take a few minutes to feel full form in the here and now and to look for those around us, a few minutes without distractions or time trials, maybe we can hear low voices to ask for help, maybe we can take care best of us and those we love to make like there is in living life.