Why Suicide is Considered a Selfish Act When It is a Cry for Help Instead?

From the very start, it has been believed that committing suicide is a selfish act or an act that portrays weakness and or wanting attention, but this is far from the truth. By committing suicide, the deceased leaves turmoil of emotions and an enormous amount of pain behind in his family making them consider that the departed acted selfishly, without consideration for the effects on others. The real picture is however extremely different.

Now more than ever before people have started thinking about mental health and are accepting the importance of the same. Yet, we underestimate the power of complex emotions and feelings that leads to unbearable pain making the person involved feel that committing suicide is easy.

“Those who undergo such experiences do not wish to die but to end their misery once and for all and are often mistaken as being cowardly.”

This is nothing short of a paradox that a person requiring the most help is provided with next to none and is also labeled inappropriately.

It is important to understand what goes on in someone’s head who is in the process of suicide ideations.

Therefore, Some of The important risk factors to be considered are:

• Feeling hopeless, worthless, agitated, socially isolated, or lonely
• Feeling an immense amount of shame and guilt
• A history of suicide attempts
• Experience a stressful life event, such as the loss of a loved one, a breakup, or financial or legal problems
• Have substance abuse or alcohol abuse problems
• Have suicidal thoughts and have access to firearms in your home
• Direct or indirect exposure to other’s suicidal behavior
• Have an underlying psychiatric disorder, such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or bipolar disorder
• Have a family history of mental disorders, substance abuse, suicide, or violence, including physical or sexual abuse
• Have a medical condition that can be linked to depression and suicidal thinking, such as chronic disease, chronic pain, or terminal illness
• Belong to the LGBT community with an unsupported family or in a hostile environment

Suicide can be prevented and it is not the way to end mental and emotional distress. It is indeed true that suicidal thoughts are common but that does not necessarily mean that someone intends to act upon them.

It is essential to be vigilant in the matter of recognizing these feelings with compassion and to help the sufferer by motivating them to seek appropriate mental health services.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, A person who is thinking about or planning suicide may show changes in their speech, feelings, and behavior.

They may talk about:

• Their feelings of guilt or shame
• Being a burden to others
• Death

The person may feel:

• Unbearable emotional pain
• Extremely anxious and sad, full of rage, or agitated
• Trapped, hopeless, empty, or that there is no reason to live
• Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy

Their behavior may also change. A person contemplating suicide may:

• Withdraw from friends or family
• Ignoring hobbies that they used to enjoy
• Use alcohol or drugs more frequently
• Sleep or eat more or less
• Take dangerous risks
• Research ways to die
• Stockpile medications
• Make a plan for their suicide
• Purchase a gun
• Putting affairs in order such as making a will
• Give away important possessions or money
• Say goodbye

It is worth noting that not everyone who is thinking about suicide shows these warning signs. Sometimes, the signs may be subtle and may need enhanced evaluation. But as humans, we must reduce the burden on those who struggle with thoughts of suicide by making them feel heard, understood, and validated and by providing them with a safe and secure environment where they can talk freely about their feelings and emotions without being categorized or judged.

In the end, it cannot be emphasized enough that emotional crises must be dealt with similarly as physical injuries are dealt with, that is, with care, concern, empathy, and a plan of recovery.