Banishing suicidal thoughts

Day marked to reduce rates and reach those who need professional help.

Suicide may be an uncomfortable topic - but talking about it is very necessary as it can help prevent tragic, untimeWorld Suicide Prevention Day, marked this week, highlights the importance of ongoing awareness and public education to help reduce suicide rates and reach those who need professional support in time.

Megan Gonsalves, Netcare Akeso's crisis line and marketing manager, says: "Suicide is complex and there is rarely a single deciding factor. However, depression, anxiety and substance abuse, as well as interpersonal conflicts or a crisis, are often underlying risk factors.

"While some suicides are planned carefully months in advance, many appear to be impulsive and may be acted on within hours or minutes of being conceived." A study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that one in four survivors of almost lethal suicide attempts deliberated for less than five minutes before acting on the impulse and a mere 13% of those interviewed had thought about suicide for more than a day.

"Other studies suggest almost half of people attempt suicide within just 10 minutes of the thought entering their minds, while Australian research indicated 40% acted on suicidal thoughts within the first five minutes," Gonsalves says.

"It is deeply disturbing that in a mere five minutes, a person can decide to end their life forever.