This year, the theme of World Mental Health Day is suicide and reducing the risks that someone will take their own life.
| The theme was chosen because of the urgent need to understand that suicide is typically the result of mental illness. It also acknowledges the profound turmoil that is associated with suicide, not just from the suicidal individual’s point of view, but from the point of view of their surviving families and friends, and the communities in which they live. | | 
Suicide is a result of mental illness
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The organizers of World Mental Health Day stress that the observation extends far beyond the one day set aside on the calendar. Instead, as in other years, the day itself is the culmination of an effort that the World Federation for Mental Health describes as “the largest international mental health education project.”
People who live with different types of mental health problems also live with an increased risk for suicide. Some of these conditions include:
Schizophrenia
This is a severe mental disorder that is characterized by a progressive decline in functioning and ability to discern reality. Patients with schizophrenia may experience symptoms that include disordered thinking, hallucinations, paranoid thoughts, social withdrawal, depression, anxiety or a combination of these symptoms.
Bipolar disorder
People with bipolar disorder live with extreme mood swings ranging from severe depression that swing over to mania i.e. feelings of being very “up” and excited. Bipolar disorder affects 3 to 4% of the population, and approximately 20% of people with bipolar disorder attempt suicide. [1]
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder
Although everyone is unhappy or sad at times, people who live with major depressive disorder struggle with severe, persistent sadness. This condition can cause sleep difficulties – either too much or too little. Other symptoms include disrupted appetite, chronic pain and illness. Major depressive disorder can be caused by an imbalance of brain chemistry with no known external cause; or it can occur after surgery, major illness, or stressful life events.
Generalized anxiety disorder
This condition is characterized by worried, fearful feelings that can limit the affected individuals’ ability to participate in the normal flow of life. It can interfere with school, work, and social activities, and other routine aspects of life such as shopping and driving.
All of these conditions can be debilitating for the sufferer. The common link with these disorders is the large increased risk of suicide. Fortunately, treatments exist for all of these conditions. Typically treatment consists of drugs, counselling, or more usually, a combination of the two.
According to the organizers of World Mental Health Day, knowledge is power. One of the solutions to the suicide risk is for the public to know that people who live with these conditions have an increased risk for suicide. Conversely, people who have attempted, or have expressed a desire to commit suicide, should be seen by a mental health professional, so that they can be properly diagnosed and treated.
When a person commits suicide, those left behind are often plagued by shock and feelings of inconsolable guilt, along with the grief of losing a loved one. Although no one can completely predict that another person will attempt suicide, there are several warning signs.
The American Association of Suicidology uses a mnemonic, or memory trick, to summarise the key feelings and behaviors that indicate a risk of suicide. The mnemonic is “IS PATH WARM”, and consists of the following:
Ideation (thoughts)
Substance abuse
Purposelessness
Anxiety
Trapped
Helplessness
Withdrawal
Anger
Recklessness
Mood changes
The American Association of Suicidology encourages concerned family members and friends to discuss their concerns about suicide openly with the affected person and to listen to the individual without judging him or her, to encourage him or her to get help. More specifically, this is a time to reach out and express direct concern if a loved one talks about suicide, is using more alcohol or recreational drugs, is withdrawing from friends and family, or expresses anger.
Carers are also encouraged to actively remove potential instruments of suicide, such as stockpiled pills, so that the individual does not have access to them.
Professionals or agencies that specialize in crisis intervention and suicide prevention can provide advice.
Actions that will not help include acting shocked, lecturing on the value of life, daring the individual to act on his or her feelings, or being lured into an oath of secrecy. | | 
Be aware of the risks of suicide |
Often the catalyst for suicidal thoughts and behavior is a crisis from which the affected individual feels that there is no escape, and the resulting sense of isolation can cause a destructive downward spiral.
By providing education and support about suicide, expressing concern, and encouraging the individual to seek help, loved ones can take the first step toward breaking out of that spiral.
Patient Health International website