This is a humble request to all my social media friends, I have been noticing for the last 3-4 days that everyone keeps posting and saying “depression kills”, “please give me a shout if you are alone”, “please talk to me I am available”, “why, why my brother did you do this”, “please don’t take your life”, “my fridge is full of food”, etc. on the one side you want the person’s soul to Rest in Peace and on the other side you keep harping on this?????
A few of my friends suggested that it’s now time, that I should pen down and say something about suicide, as I used to give speeches on “Adolescence and Adult suicide prevention”, “loneliness of senior citizens” and conducted mental health awareness programs and so on…
I hope you Read, Share, and Follow as per below: In my humble opinion and experience:
Depression is an illness
Depression is an illness like any other illness, (depression should not be linked with suicide), there are people in society who suffered from Depression, got treated, and carried on with their normal life.
During this COVID -19 pandemic, however, many people are suffering from financial stress, marital stress, student’s educational stress, employees, and employers stress, some of them are working from home and have to make an extra effort by adding more hours?
These are the people that are also facing challenges and depression. In this pandemic situation, should you keep posting “depression kills”?
Think rationally, what impact are you creating here in this chaotic environment?
Nothing but confusion, fear, panic, nervousness, and giving them the option of what? Demoralizing the people in Depression?? That there are no possibilities, besides them talking to you and coming to you?
At this stage, they need a Solution-focused structured program/ therapies and medication to overcome their situation and not only suggestions?
I think this could be due to a lack of mental health awareness??
Therefore, I have decided to share some insight on it in simple terms:
There is no such thing as “please come to me”, “talk to me”, “I am reachable, available”, etc.
When a person is suffering because of his underlying situation due to multifaceted reasons, he/she does not know what to do?
If his/her mental health is strong enough to follow your instruction, then they would not land into the critical situation? and may not decide to take their life?
It is your responsibility to reach out to them, as they do not know what to do due to sometimes chemical imbalances, withdrawal symptoms, being introvert, fear of rejection, even loss of appetite.
During this illness, a person is unaware of his/her own behaviour and thought process, it is not always stigma, but probably, the friends and family members around them that carry the stigma?
It is You, who should be observant and vigilant of the person’s behaviour being a family member, friends. it is you, who should gain the knowledge of what is happening around the person?
Approach a professional in this field at the right time for guidance.
Convince the person to avail themselves for treatment, therapeutic procedure, follow the procedure of group therapy, family therapy sessions and attend it, create a support structure, where you will be equally educated on how to handle these situations.
The person should not be left alone right from the beginning. Ensure medication is being taken and therapeutic sessions are attended regularly.
By following this you may save that spur of the moment where these things happen!
Monitor their behaviour by embracing them and not to leave any option but to live a normal healthy life …….
Dr Suchita Chavda Clinical Psychologist Sandton
