SUICIDE PREVENTION MENTAL HEALTH Mental health is • the foundation for thinking, communication, learning, resilience, and self-esteem • key to personal well-being, relationships, and contributing to community or society It involves effective functioning in daily activities resulting in • Productive activities (work, school, caregiving) • Fulfilling relationships • Ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity MENTAL ILLNESS Mental illness refers collectively to all diagnosable mental disorders—health conditions involving • Significant changes in thinking, emotion, and/or behavior • Distress and/or problems functioning in social, work, or family activities. It is not always clear when a problem with mood or thinking has become serious enough to be a mental health concern. Sometimes, for example, a depressed mood is normal, such as when a person experiences the loss of a loved one. But if that depressed mood continues to cause distress or gets in the way of normal functioning, the person may benefit from professional care. Depression Depression, on the other hand, is a potentially serious medical condition that affects how a person feels, thinks, and acts. The primary signs of major depression are that the person feels sad or has no interest or pleasure in normal activities for about two weeks. Activities such as eating, socializing, sex, or recreation lose their appeal. Other symptoms: • Changes in appetite • Sleep changes (sleeping too much or being unable to sleep) • Agitation, restlessness, or changes in motor movement • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt • Problems thinking, concentrating, or making decisions • Lack of energy, fatigue • Thoughts of death or suicide Depression is more intense and long-lasting than normal sadness. It can develop slowly, draining the energy, pleasure, and meaning of a person’s life. About 7% of adults experience major depression in any given year and one in five women will experience it in their lifetime. Some people may express depression differently. For example, some people who are depressed may be more likely to complain of body aches or other physical symptoms than of mood or emotional symptoms. Depression can take different forms. Major depressive disorder causes a person to feel deeply sad and unable to enjoy previously enjoyed activities for at least two weeks. Jobs, relationships, and life activities can be affected. Persistent depressive disorder (previously called dysthymic disorder) is a milder form of depression that persists for years at a time. People with dysthymia may feel gloomy, irritable, or tired much of the time. They may feel hopeless and have difficulty sleeping or concentrating. Their depressed mood can interfere with their relationships, work, and enjoyment of life. Postpartum depression refers to symptoms of major depression in a mother just before or after her baby is born (depression with peripartum onset). SUICIDE Kenya ranks 27th out of 46 countries in sub-Saharan Africa in terms of suicide rate per 100,000 people, according to the best available data. It is therefore a serious problem particularly when the cost of living in the country has continued to rise. Men are nearly four times more likely than women to take their own lives. Suicides however can be prevented. The risk of suicide can be minimized by knowing the risk factors and recognizing the warning signs. Warning Signs of Suicide Changes in behavior can be warning signs that someone may be thinking about or planning suicide. • Often talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary • Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless • Expressions of having no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life; saying things like “It would be better if I wasn’t here” or “I want out” • Increased alcohol and/or drug use • Withdrawal from friends, family, and community • Reckless behavior or more risky activities, seemingly without thinking • Dramatic mood changes • Giving away prized possessions, putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, changing a will. Risk Factors for Suicide Certain events and circumstances may increase the risk for suicide. • Losses and other events (for example, the breakup of a relationship or a death, academic failures, legal difficulties, financial difficulties, bullying, job loss and unemployment) • Previous suicide attempts • History of trauma or abuse • Keeping firearms in the home • Chronic physical illness, including chronic pain • Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others • A history of suicide in the family Those who commit suicide therefore are essentially mentally sick and suicide is normally a cry for help. Unfortunately for them, when they succeed it's normally too late for them and their families. As parents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, etc, its upon us to understand the warning signs for suicide in good time so that we can note the cry of our beloved before it is too late. When we notice sudden changes in behaviour of our loved ones, let us try to take time off our busy schedules and talk to them. One commits suicide because according to them, no one was there to listen and talk to them. Many people who have a mental illness do not want to talk about it. But mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of! It is a medical condition, just like heart disease or diabetes. And mental illnesses are treatable. Mental illness does not discriminate; it can affect anyone regardless of one’s age, gender, income, social status, race/ethnicity, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, background, or other aspect of cultural identity. Let us always refer our people for counselling or medical attention when they seem to be facing life challenges.