The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation, an NGO, has proffered nine time-test solutions to preventing suicidal thoughts among people.
The Executive Director of the Foundation, Rev. Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu, told newsmen in Enugu on Friday that chief among the solutions is investing in people's general well-being in every sector of life.
Nwachukwu noted that “it is time for government, leaders and organisations to start caring for their workers or people's holistic wellbeing and not just the physical or mental wellbeing.”
He said that the next was the need for more awareness and education on the signs, symptoms, and factors that lead to one having suicidal thoughts or committing suicide.
He said: “The signs and symptoms of suicide can be physical or psychological which are: frequent mood swings, drug abuse, withdrawal or isolation from everyone around them and not talking about mind disturbing issues.
“The signs are also unexplained harms or injury, frequent outburst of anger, panic attacks, always feeling hopeless, major or persistent depression, eating and sleeping disorders and hate words on oneself among others.
“The factors usually stem from social, biological, environmental, financial, psychological and health factors such as pressures, stress, trauma, grief and bereavement, loneliness, terminal illness, mental health disorders, dysfunctional family/relationships, abuse and harassment, bullying or labeling.”
Nwachukwu, who is a certified mental therapist and life coach, said that the third was that everyone should sponsor and support NGO’s or organisations that are into mental health and suicide prevention in any way possible.
“Also, sponsor any community-based programmes that take care of people's general well-being, resilience, and self development through education engagement and multi-sports activities. This will also help to end the stigma attached to suicide,” he said.
He noted that the fourth solution was that every outlet, like media houses, churches, hospitals, organisations, should encourage people to speak up when they are going through tough times and seek help when necessary with professionals and therapists.
The executive director said that the fifth solution was that people should start reconnecting back to nature by saving trees, plants and natural environments rather than turning many into buildings.
According to him, nature brings warmth, healing, joy, oxygen, creativity, helps with concentration and clarity among others.
Nwachukwu said: “Sixth, we should not ignore but rather respond and intervene in any suicidal post or talks made in social media or around us. There should also be more available help lines for such interventions.
“Seventh, there should be more awareness and education around stress and its impact on health and general well-being especially with the management or building resistance.
“Eighth, everyone should be encouraged to promote self care and healthy living activities, posts and articles on their different social platforms. We need them to trend more than other negative things that trend on social media.
“Nineth, there should be more engagement of parents, teachers, guardians, mentors, coaches and relevant stakeholders on intentional and effective parenting and skills to improve family relationships as well as our children's wellbeing.”
Nwachukwu further said that suicide is no respecter of age, gender, nationality and class; while it can occur at any time in one's life.
He noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had projected that about 720,000 suicides occur across the globe every year. This number is on the rise and for every completed suicide, there are at least 20 unsuccessful attempts.
The WHO and its partners have earmarked Sept. 10 each year as World Suicide Prevention Day; which is a day set aside to discuss and create awareness on suicide and its triggers worldwide.