Every year, more than 800,000 people die by suicide and up to 25 times as many make a suicide attempt. Behind these statistics are the individual stories of those who have, for many different reasons, questioned the value of their own lives.
Each one of these individuals is part of a community. Some may be well linked in to this community, and have a network of family, friends and work colleagues or school mates. Others may be less well connected, and some may be quite isolated. Regardless of the circumstances, communities have an important role to play in supporting those who are vulnerable. This sentiment is reflected in the theme of the 2017 World Suicide Prevention Day: ‘Take a minute, change a life.’ As members of communities, it is our responsibility to look out for those who may be struggling, check in with them, and encourage them to tell their story in their own way and at their own pace. Offering a gentle word of support and listening in a non-judgemental way can make all the difference. Taking a minute can change a life People who have lived through a suicide attempt have much to teach us about how the words and actions of others are important. They often talk movingly about reaching the point where they could see no alternative but to take their own life, and about the days, hours and minutes leading up to this. They often describe realising that they did not want to die but instead wanted someone to intervene and stop them. Many say that they actively sought someone who would sense their despair and ask them whether they were okay. Sometimes they say that they made a pact with themselves that if someone did ask if they were okay, they would tell them everything and allow them to intervene. Sadly, they often reflect that no one asked. The individuals telling these stories are inspirational. Many of them recount reaching the point where they did try to take their own lives, and tell about coming through it. Many of them are now working as advocates for suicide prevention. Almost universally, they say that if someone had taken a minute, the trajectory that they were on could have been interrupted. Life is precious and sometimes precarious. Taking a minute to reach out to someone – a complete stranger or close family member or friend – can change the course of their life. No one has to have all the answers People are often reluctant to intervene, even if they are quite concerned about someone. There are many reasons for this, not least that they fear they will not know what to say. It is important to remember, however, that there is no hard and fast formula. Individuals who have come through an episode of severe suicidal thinking often say that they were not looking for specific advice, but that compassion and empathy from others helped to turn things around for them and point them towards recovery. Another factor that deters people from starting the conversation is that they worry that they may make the situation worse. Again, this hesitation is understandable; broaching the topic of suicide is difficult and there is a myth that talking about suicide with someone can put the idea into their head or trigger the act. The evidence suggests that this is not the case. Being caring and listening with a non-judgemental ear are far more likely to reduce distress than exacerbate it.
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By - SSG President “Peram ballpen. Pengeng papel. May lapis ka pa? Pa-share ng baon. May extra calcu ka, yung maganda? Sinong may book? May assignment ka? Pakopya!” Marahil ay naiinis, nabibingi na o di kaya’y nagbibingi-bingihan na lamang ang iyong mga kaklase sa paulit-ulit mong pagbigkas ng mga katagang iyan araw-araw. Sino nga ba ang hindi maaasar kung pumapasok kang mayroong bagong supply ng papel o ballpen at wala pang isang araw ay mauubos at mawawla na ang mga ito? Pagkalabas pa lamang nito mula sa ilalim ng iyong desk ay makikita mo na napapalibutan ka na ng mga kamay. Sino ang makatitiis na makita ang iyong takdang aralin na pinagpuyatan mong magdamag ay pinagpapasa-pasahan? Sino ang hindi magagambala kung tuwing tahimik kang sumasagot sa pagsusulit ay binabatuhan ka ng mga papel sa iyong likod o kung may sumisipa sa iyong upuan at humihingi ng mga sagot sa mga tanong na iyong pinag-aralan at pinag-isipang mabuti. Iyan, Iyan ang tawag sa mga estudyanteng iresponsable; mga estudyanteng imbes na mag-aral sa gabi ay naglalaro, nagffacebook, nagtetext at gumigimik lamang kasama ang mga barkada at sa susunod na araw ay umaasa na lamang sa iba upang bigyan siya ng mga maisasagot sa mga pagsusulit at mga aktibidades na ibinibigay ng ating mga guro; mga mag-aaral na sa halip na pagtuunan ng pansin ang kanilang pag-aaral ay mas pinahahalagahan pa ang kanilang mga social life at imahe sa ibang tao; mga estudyanteng imbes na makinig sa leksyon ay mas pinili pang matulog na lamang sa klase o di kaya’y mga estudyanteng pati ba naman sa maliliit na mga bagay tulad ng pagdadala lamang ng libro at materyales na kakailanganin ay hindi pa magawa. Kayo ba eh ganon din ang ginagawa ninyo? Hindi habang buhay ay maaari mong sandalan ang iyong mga kaklase. Mali ang umasa ka na lamang sa kanila sa lahat ng oras. Hindi nila responsibilidad ang bigyan ka ng sagot o bolpen o papel araw-araw. Sa paglipas ng panahon, mawawala at mawawala rin sila sa iyong tabi at kung mangyayari na iyon, papaano mo haharapin ang buhay kung sanay kang nariyan sila? Papaano ka aasenso? Hahayaan mo bang ang pagiging iresponsable mo ang makasisira sa iyo? Kailangan mong matutong tumayo sa sarili mong mga paa; maging responsable ka. |
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