There is help available if you are suicidal
Local resident urges people in pain not to make a permanent decision based on temporary emotions.
World Suicide Prevention Day is held each September to raise awareness and circulate a message of hope for those who feel hopeless and at the end of their tether.
James Starkey lives in Linden and is a veteran of the Angolan war who built a life free of violence and substance abuse that had plagued him for years. He now works tirelessly to assist people battling addiction.
“Men don’t talk about how they are feeling; we bottle it up and it manifests in negative ways,” he says.
“When I was in the suicide zone, where I’ve been many times, it gets so dark, nothing makes sense. And when your thinking is not straight it is so hard to figure out a sensible way out.”
He says the one thing that is bound to help someone who is suffering from suicidal thoughts is to just show up and sit for a while or just listen. “Don’t patronise them by telling them about all the good things they have that are worth living for and what you must be grateful for. We know that but still feel like dying is the answer. We are not thinking right.
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“Help is always there when you look for it. I am so grateful that I did not follow through with my darkest thoughts. I beg anyone who is suffering, please do not make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions.
“You think you are alone, but you are not and if you don’t ask for help, it won’t come.”
Starkey says one of the biggest hurdles is admitting to people that you are not all right, but you must. If you don’t, especially if you are good at hiding your emotions people will only realise you were in pain after you are no longer around which is a tragedy.”
Fairland-based life coach Lara Bonetto previously said, “I have several clients who have survived a suicide attempt. I hope to help others who are feeling vulnerable and who see no way out of their current negative situation.
“Help is available, but people do not reach out and ask for help often enough.”
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) is using the #CreatingHopeThroughAction hashtag this year.
Cassey Chambers, Sadag operations director explains, “Despite the taboo and fear around suicide, people are afraid if they talk about suicide, it could ‘plant the seed’. But by normalising conversations around mental health and suicide prevention, we make it more comfortable to talk about these important issues in our homes, at work, with our family and friends – and more importantly, with people who need support and help.”
According to Sadag’s website, “ The theme ‘Creating Hope Through Action’ is a reminder that there is help towards suicide prevention and that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling. We can act by reaching out to someone who may be in distress, encouraging understanding around the issue, and having the courage to start conversations about suicide. Through our actions, we can also let people experiencing suicidal thoughts know that there is hope and that we want to support them.
“Sadag runs the country’s only Suicide Crisis Helplines providing free telephone counselling and emergency crisis intervention for callers from across the country, from all provinces, ages, races, genders, socio-economic backgrounds, and religions. With one in four calls to Sadag being suicide-related, and sadly, the majority of callers are between 19–35 years old.”
Global suicide statistics
- Currently 300 million people in the world are living with depression.
- Globally, an estimated 703 000 people die by suicide each year among which 77% of the deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries.
- Over one in every 100 deaths (1.3%) in 2019 was the result of suicide.
- The global suicide rate is over twice as high among men than women.
- Over half (58%) of all deaths by suicide occur before the age of 50 years.
- A previous suicide attempt is the strongest risk factor for death by suicide.
- Globally, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in 15–29-year-olds.
- Suicide occurs across all regions in the world, however, over three-quarters (77%) of global suicides in 2019 occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
- Approximately one-fifth (20%) of all suicides are the result of pesticide ingestion, particularly in rural agriculture settings. Hanging and firearms are also common methods of suicide.
- Experiences of conflict, disaster, violence, abuse, or loss and a sense of isolation are risk factors associated with suicidal behaviour
- Suicide rates are high within vulnerable groups who are subjected to discrimination including refugees, migrants, prisoners, indigenous people, and individuals from the LGBTI+ community.
- An individual suffering with depression is 20 times more likely to die by suicide than someone without the disorder.
*Stats from www.sadag.org
Contact Lara Bonetto via her website at www.1lifecoach.co.za
If you would like to reach out to Starkey to begin a conversation about recovery, please email him at james@championsrecovery.co.za.
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