Multi-National Study Links Many Mental Health Concerns with Suicidal Behavior
August 12th, 2009
In the consideration of suicide, it’s a commonly held idea that those with symptoms of depression are most prone to thinking about suicide and exhibiting relevant behaviors. This may not be the case, however, as described by a recent study based on over one hundred thousand participants in twenty one countries. The study examined the data gathered by the World Health Organization’s World Mental Health Surveys, and took a critical look at the correlations between suicidal thoughts and actions and the occurrence of a range of mental health concerns. While depression was certainly among these concerns, the research suggests that a wide variety of mental health issues indicate a greater potential for suicidal concerns.
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Comments
yeah, the idea that one has to be depressed to attempt suicide is very outdated. Anxiety, guilt, shame, self-criticism, worthtlessness, are a few body-mind states that can present without qualifying for a mood disorder, such as depression, and can lead to suicidality. i hope this post will help others to become aware of the risk factors involved in assessing for suicide risk!
And what about all those potential suicide cases that go undetected until too late? The general public is aware of depression and could name perhaps two or three more conditions. They can’t understand what they don’t know about and get help for themselves or family.
Suicide isn’t and never will be easy to understand. I knew a young bartender who was the life and soul of the party that killed himself one night. He left a note. Had he not, no one would have guessed how he felt inside. It was a tragedy.
Suicide is complicated and I think that so many people are left with wondering why and there will just never be an easy answer for them. We all think that there has to be depression to bring on suicide but as we see here that is so often just not the case. Even more of a reason to keep our eyes and ears open, hear what others are saying, and make sure that yet another life does not end tragically through suicide.
An ex friend of mine and I got into a fight over whether suicide was selfish. To cut a long story short he thought it was and didn’t care how much mental or physical distress a person was going through. Such a lack of compassion for a fellow human being’s suffering floored me. Once I saw that side of him I couldn’t remain his friend.
If only those who are contemplating suicide could see into the future and realize what heartache they were going to cause with their actions they would never really consider this as an option. But I am being rational, because if someone is contemplating suicide they have moved beyond the ability to be rational and are only thinking about their own way out.
Chip I feel anyone considering suicide is in such a world of pain that such considerations aren’t reason enough to stay their hand. A friend of mine attempted suicide twice in her teens. I asked her once about how she could hurt her parents like that. She didn’t think about the hurt she’d leave behind because she genuinely didn’t believe they cared if she lived or died. None of us can imagine what it must be like to stand on that brink.
Suicide is such a multi facted issue not only for those who are considering it as a way out but also for those who are left grieving for lost family members and friends. For too long the issue has been pushed under the rug and people were afraid to talk about it. I think that it is great that we have this forum as a chance for discussion and to learn from others what has helped them in the pst to deal and how to prevent it in the future from happening to others.
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