Facts

Suicide as a global health concern.

Suicide is becoming a major global health concern nowadays. According to the World Health Organization (2008), in a developing country like Pakistan, which has a population of approximately 162 million people, the suicidal rate increased from a few hundred to more than 3000 in 2003. (Khan, 2005). Moreover, Pakistan as an Islamic country with 97% population is being Muslims. Unfortunately, trends turn out to be increasing in Muslims as compared to other minorities. Suicide is not only condemned in Islam, but all other religions around the world, including Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and the Bahai faith, regard it as a serious offense and forbid their followers from intentionally taking their own lives (Wassan & Riaz, 2007).

Signs and symptoms of suicidal ideation

The causes of suicide

Suicidal ideation can result from a variety of causes and risk factors. Suicidal ideation can be caused by any of the following factors, according to mental health experts:

Genetics. Suicidal ideations reflect the existence of a mental health illness or conditions in a person. Mental diseases, such as anxiety, sadness, and bipolar disorder, have genetic origins in those with family members who have a history of mental health difficulties. Suicidal thoughts are more likely to occur when a person has this type of genetic predisposition.

Physical. The appearance of suicidal ideations generally suggest that chemical imbalances have happened within the brain. When neurotransmitters, chemicals that affect mood and the regulation of emotions within a person, do not attain homeostasis, a person is likely to meet criteria for a mental disorder when symptoms, such as suicidal ideations, become apparent.

Environment. How an individual responds to outside stimuli can render a person more susceptible to the development of a mental health condition if the stimuli causes insurmountable distress. Suicidal ideations may surface if a person encounters tremendous quantities of chaos, trauma, abuse, or neglect and is unable to handle these kinds of stressors. A person may respond poorly to stress and have suicidal thoughts in addition to lacking the necessary and effective coping skills, a weak support system, or limited access to beneficial resources. Academic failure, bullying, job loss, financial disaster, losing a loved one, or enduring another severe loss are some more instances of environmental triggers that could result in this kind of thinking.

Suicide has a significant effect.

Suicide and suicide attempts create substantial emotional, physical, and economic repercussions. Suicide attempt survivors may sustain severe wounds that could have a long-term negative impact on their health. Additionally, they might struggle with depression and other mental health issues. The good news is that more than 90% of people who attempt suicide and survive never go on to die by suicide.

Suicide and suicide attempts influence the health and well-being of friends, loved ones, co-workers, and the community. When someone commits suicide, their surviving relatives and friends may feel shocked, angry, guilty, depressive or anxious symptoms, or even suicidal thoughts.

The financial toll of suicide on society is also costly. In 2019, suicide and nonfatal self-harm cost the US roughly $490 billion in medical expenditures, employment loss costs, value of statistical life, and quality of life costs.