The gravity of this information has erupted, and no one is exempt from the threat of suicide. An emotion isolating the effect cannot avoid the possibility of following through with the act of suicide. Our feelings affect every phase of our psyche and thinking this condition will disappear is a critical, unfounded assumption. The data speaks for itself, and steps to stay ahead of this possibility again are crucial. Since the advent of COVID 19, my clients reference the isolation and the fear that cripple them emotionally. To love and be understood is a constant battle between how a person feels vs. how they are perceived.
In many cases, the talk of suicide and the attempt is a cry for help. If there is no one there, the likelihood of your loved one carrying out the threat is imminent. No one wants to face the day when a call is made, and that suicide has been completed. My struggle with the notion of suicidal ideations, or the thought absent from the act, is to learn the ways and means to remain emotionally safe and secure. For this to happen, your active participation is required by performing sessions to meditate, engage in yoga and deep breathing, and involve yourself in learning and understanding the cognitive principles of self-discovery. Know that you are in a fight against time, and time is running out.
Suicide rates in the U.S. are rising, and the coronavirus pandemic may be blamed. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), suicide was the tenth leading cause of death overall in the U.S., claiming the lives of more than 47,500 people. For people between the ages of 35 and 44, it was the fourth leading cause of death, while for those between the ages of 10 to 35, it was second, right behind unintentional injury.
Suicide is a significant public health concern, according to Rachel V. F. Rohaidy, M.D., a board-certified psychiatrist with Baptist Health Primary Care. “With so many people experiencing pandemic-related stress over the past 18 months, suicide has been on the increase everywhere,” says Dr. Rohaidy, who also serves as medical director of The Recovery Village at Baptist Health. During the pandemic, those aged 85 or older, that tells me we need to be taking care of our elderly relatives and being vigilant for any signs of anxiety, depression, or unusual changes in behavior.”
What You Should Know:
It can take years to deal with mental health issues and accept the need to seek treatment. Dr. Rohaidy says, “If you know of anyone experiencing mental health issues or considering suicide, open the lines of communication and be available to love and listen – be the shoulder they can cry on. “It’s important to reassure your loved one that they are indeed loved – it could save their life.”
Dr. Rohaidy also advises creating a suicide safety plan because a person considering suicide is always thinking about it. “Here is a set of instructions you create with your loved one that contains a series of gradual steps they can follow if thoughts of suicide come to mind,” Dr. Rohaidy explains. “It could include soothing activities, a list of reasons for living, the phone numbers of family, friends or hotlines and resources they can reach out to when they find themselves overwhelmed with dark thoughts.”
There is a clear link between substance abuse and suicide, Dr. Rohaidy says. “Roughly 20 percent of suicides in the U.S. involve opiates, but it isn’t known if those deaths were intentional, she says, “22 percent of suicides in the U.S. involve alcohol, and 40 percent of people who consume alcohol have had one suicide attempt in their lifetime.”
How You Can Help
“If a person is contemplating suicide, it might be difficult for them even to consider finding a physician,” Dr. Rohaidy observes. “Being there for them and showing that you care is critical.” Suppose someone you know has said they are thinking of committing suicide. In that case, Dr. Rohaidy says many resources are available. “A trip to the emergency room, call a suicide hotline, or reach out to online therapists,” she advises. ” Anything you can to make a quick appointment while making the individual feel loved and connected is helpful.” Dr. Rohaidy says if you find yourself in a situation where a person is trying to commit suicide, assess the severity of the condition and do your best to diffuse it if you can by being present, listening, and calling a hotline.
Dr. Rohaidy also advises reaching out to a medical professional. “Talk to your primary care physician or therapist about what’s going on,” Dr. Rohaidy suggests. “They can help identify the appropriate resources to help you try to prevent suicide.”
Over the past year and a half, with the pandemic, telemedicine platforms have become a necessary and highly convenient way for many people to get the treatment they need, Dr. Rohaidy says. “That’s especially true for clients seeking help for substance abuse or any type of mental health counseling,” she notes. “Many clients prefer to do their sessions remotely from the comfort and privacy of their own home.” For patients concerned about COVID-19 and in-person appointments, Dr. Rohaidy says that telemedicine platforms such as ‘Baptist Health Care On Demand’ have made it easier to connect with Baptist Health physicians experienced in substance abuse, addiction, and other disorders.
Additional resources include the Suicide Prevention Hotline (dial 211), the National Institute of Health Mental Health (NIH/Mental Health), and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which has locations in cities around the country. These resources are not only for the individuals who need treatment but also for their families and friends.”
This Article was Last Updated On: June 14, 2022