by dr. Marcio Rogerio Renzo
Brazil has been considered the most worried country in the world, according to the WHO (World Health Organization), since 2017 and the pandemic has only worsened this situation. According to USP (University of São Paulo), 63% of Brazilians have some form of anxiety and 57% are depressed. In this way, the risk of suicide increases.
Another alarming data comes from DATASUS (Informatics Department of the Unified Health System), according to the agency, in the last 20 years the number of suicides has doubled, from 7 thousand to 14 thousand events, practically one person commits suicide every hour. This number is greater than the number of deaths in motorcycle accidents in the same period.
As we have seen, the pandemic caused a real “boom” in cases of mental disorders related to depression and anxiety. In the world, the increase in cases of anxiety was of the order of 25.6% and those of depression 27.6% in 2020.
The Yellow September campaign came to emphasize this attention since 2014.
Unfortunately, not all countries invest in this topic, despite declaring that they do. Only 38 countries have policies related to suicide prevention.
The event of suicide is complex and depends on several factors. Mental disorders of anxiety, mood and personality (depression), borderline, bipolar, substance abuse are among the main sufferers. However, problems with bullying, emotional losses, difficulties at work, family conflicts, terminal or chronic illnesses can also cause suicidal thoughts.
People who have suicidal thoughts usually show signs and we need to be alert to identify them and be able to help them as soon as possible.
Changes in behavior, mood swings, verbalizations, social isolation, and substance abuse (drugs, alcohol, etc.) are all signs that the person needs help.
But how does the person present themselves on a daily basis?
As we have seen, people give signs that they are not well. Behavioral changes appear when the person stops doing things that previously gave them pleasure; stops doing something, claiming to be too tired; become confused to solve problems that were previously easily solved; they find it difficult to make decisions.
Mood swings appear dramatically. The person is optimistic about something and becomes completely pessimistic. Or they are restless and euphoric and become apathetic and lethargic.
In verbalizations or “verbal alarms”, as we call them, the person begins to express the intention to take his life, that his life is worthless, etc.. These are signs that show that something is wrong.
One of the main characteristics of the suicidal person is social isolation. The individual stops attending family and professional meetings, no longer looking for friends. He has loneliness as his main companion.
Finally, suicides tend to require excessive consumption of alcohol, medications, and other psychoactive drugs. Studies show that people with depression
or other substance use disorders are 50% more likely to commit suicide.
Where to ask for help?
In Brazil, the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS), created in 2011 by the Ministry of Health, created an integrated and decentralized management of care tools that goes through Basic Health Units (UBS), Psychosocial Support Center (CAPS) . ), passing through beds in general hospitals and the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU – Phone 192) and other emergency and emergency services, in order to diagnose
health needs in each of its fields, with the aim of organizing mental health care and providing psychosocial care for people with suicidal thoughts and their families, through the development of therapeutic actions and monitoring of each case.
Another way to seek help is through the Centro de Valorização da Vida (CVV), a non-governmental organization that operates throughout the country by telephone 188 (24 hours a day, every day) and also through face-to-face consultations in the main cities in all states of the federation.
In an emergency, if you come across someone trying to kill themselves, call 192 for SAMU or 193 for the Fire Department.
Your attention and help can save a life. Life is our best choice. ever!
