Stating that the suicide rate has increased by 60 percent in the world in the last 50 years, Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari, Deputy Dean of Atlas University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Mental Health and Diseases, said that suicide, which is among the most common causes of preventable deaths worldwide, is an important public health problem. Stating that 65-95 percent of suicides have mental illness, Ensari emphasized that suicide can be prevented with good observation, timely early diagnosis and regular treatment.
Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari, Deputy Dean of Atlas University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Mental Health and Diseases, said that it is possible to prevent suicide cases with some precautions in a statement made on September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day.
One of the most common causes of preventable deaths
Emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about suicide, Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari said, “Suicide is an important public health problem that is among the most common causes of preventable deaths worldwide. Suicide attempts are 20 times higher than completed suicides and the emotional impact on individuals whose relatives attempt suicide or die by suicide can last for years. Raising awareness about suicide and raising awareness are the most fundamental issues that need to be implemented in suicide prevention.”
Suicide rate is increasing around the world
Stating that the suicide rate has increased by 60 percent in the last 50 years in the world, Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari said, “According to the World Health Organization data, it is estimated that one person dies every minute, approximately one million people die annually as a result of suicide; it is estimated that there is a suicide attempt every 3 seconds. Suicide is one of the top 10 causes of death in the entire population and one of the top 3 causes of death in young people aged 15-24. Worldwide, suicide rates have increased by 60 percent in the last 50 years.”
Suicide is a preventable behavior
Stating that suicide can be prevented, Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari said, “Suicidal behavior has certain risk factors that can be recognized and intervened in advance. Therefore, suicide is a preventable behavior with good observation, timely early diagnosis and regular treatment.”
High risk during periods of exacerbation of diseases
Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari noted that 65-95 percent of suicides have a mental illness and said, “The risk of suicide is high during periods of exacerbation of diseases, shortly after discharge from the hospital. Depression, alcohol and substance abuse, schizophrenia and personality disorders are the most common mental illnesses associated with suicide. Therefore, suicide can be prevented by early recognition of mental illnesses or alcohol and substance use disorders, referral to health services and regular treatment.”
Attention to the clear expression of suicidal thoughts
Noting that one of the important risks of suicidal behavior is the clear expression of suicidal ideation, Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari said, “Clear expression of suicidal intent, suicide planning, access to weapons or other means of suicide indicate a high risk of suicide and in case of detection of these situations, referral to a mental health and diseases specialist is absolutely necessary. In cases where suicidal ideation is clear but there is a refusal of treatment, an application can be made to the court of peace with a compulsory treatment decision and the individual at risk of suicide can be referred to a mental health and diseases specialist for compulsory treatment.”
High rate of completed suicide in men
Stating that suicides are most common in young people and the elderly, Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari said, “While women are 2-3 times more likely to attempt suicide than men, the rate of completed suicide is higher in men. Suicides are most common in young people between the ages of 15-24 and in the elderly over the age of 75.”
Suicide is more likely than married people
Noting that suicide can be triggered by many stress factors among psychosocial reasons, Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari said, “Death, divorce, separation, job loss, chronic diseases, chronic pain, legal problems, interpersonal problems are among the important life events that trigger suicide. Divorced or separated people are 2-5 times more likely to attempt suicide than married people.”
Regular follow-up of mental illnesses is very important
Emphasizing that the follow-up of mental illnesses is important in preventing suicides, Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari gave the following warnings
“Suicidal behavior is often accompanied by a mental illness called 'depression', which is frequently seen in the society, but suicidal thoughts are added to the picture as a result of the aggravation of depression symptoms as a result of depression not being treated on time. Again, since depression often accompanies alcohol substance abuse disorders, schizophrenia or personality disorders, if left untreated, these conditions also worsen and suicidal behavior can be seen following suicidal ideation. Therefore, all mental illnesses such as depression, alcohol abuse and schizophrenia can be cured today with regular follow-up and treatment, so suicide is a preventable condition. As long as we are careful about the risk factors around us, mental illnesses, alcohol and substance abuse, whether the person has suicidal thoughts, whether there have been suicide attempts before, whether there have been suicide attempts in the family. Let's refer the risky people we notice to a mental health specialist without delay.”
Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari said that after the psychiatric evaluation to be carried out by a mental health and diseases specialist from the moment suicidal ideation is detected, regular follow-up and treatment will be started if the underlying mental illness is detected, and inpatient treatment can be recommended if necessary.
Access to suicide tools should be restricted
Stating that access to suicide tools such as firearms, pesticides and toxic substances should also be restricted as a suicide prevention strategy, Ensari said, “The first of the two most important ways to prevent suicidal behavior is to ensure that individuals with mental illness and substance abuse benefit from health services, and the second is to control access to suicide tools.”
Public should be made aware of mental health and mental illnesses
Ensari emphasized the importance of raising awareness of the whole society about mental health and diseases in order to prevent suicide and concluded his words as follows
“Mental health should be given as much importance as physical health. Let's not forget that there is no health without mental health, and let's not forget that mental illnesses can be treated. What needs to be done is to be aware of the main symptoms of mental illnesses, to know the ways to access mental health services, to apply the treatment started in case of detection of mental illnesses regularly and not to interrupt follow-ups.”
İHA Haber Kodu: 20240909AW283694