We must ease the pain for those suffering in silence

Salha Alameri writes on suicide prevention and the need for greater discussion on this issue

People watch a video on the World Suicide Prevention Day with messages and videos organised by UAE exchange Satish Kumar / The National

Let’s start talking, let us discuss mental health, let us discuss suicide. Let us allow people to feel comfortable and to share their stories. Let us wage a war against the social stigma that leads to silent suffering. No person should go through that alone.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than 800,000 people die from suicide every year, but it is to be noted that for every suicide there are many more attempts. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people between the ages of 15 and 29 years old.

However, I know that those statistics alone do not make a change. We should start thinking of each statistic as someone’s child or another’s parent; only then will we be able to force changes and alter perceptions.

According to the WHO, 274 people committed suicide in the UAE in 2012. That number may not be large compared to other countries, but it should be put in a broader context. Suicide is rarely talked about here, because no one wants a loved one to be judged and spoken badly of after their death.

Laws also play a part in this complex issue.

According to UAE law, a failed suicide attempt is an offence and those found guilty are liable to face a maximum six-month jail sentence and a Dh5,000 fine.

To encourage people to seek familial or professional help, it would be better if we did not treat suicide as a crime but as a mental health issue.

It is impossible to prevent all suicides, but this should not stop us from making the effort.

We should be developing multiple approaches to dealing with suicide, especially because youth suicide is increasing drastically.

With all the technological developments, we should have suicide hotlines, crisis text lines and proper counselling.

We should also be investing in creative prevention strategies because what works in another country may not work here.

It is a myth to say that talking about suicide increases its risk. On the contrary, it is advisable that we start talking about it. Once we start acknowledging and stop ignoring the problem, we’ll start making a difference.

It is then that we’ll be able to send a message of hope to those who suffer silently. So while we are investing in material entities, we should also invest in creating citizens who are not only physically healthy but mentally fit as well.

According to the WHO’s estimates each year, one person commits suicide every 40 seconds. They also predict that by 2020, the suicide rate will have increased to one death every 20 seconds worldwide.

These statistics are not new. Neither is the sentiment of this article nor is the urge to make a change. But to ensure that this movement does not fail we need to get people onboard.

Maybe we’ll ruffle a few feathers on our way, but that is the thing about sparking great social movements. Let us change course and insist on talking about what truly matters.

We can start by tweeting about it, by bringing the topic up in a majlis or phoning a friend about it. And gradually we’ll be able to ensure that help will be provided to all those who need it.

Salha Alameri is a student and co-founder of a campaign based in Abu Dhabi that aims to raise awareness regarding mental health and suicide