Yellow September: how to identify people who need help

Yellow September: Teaming up to prevent suicide and support those in need – Photo: Disclosure

In September, there is a lot of discussion around the sad reality of suicide, a problem that transcends borders and is becoming a global epidemic. Alarming data from the World Health Organization (WHO) does not lie: more than 700,000 people die every year. Although they do not follow a uniform pattern, it is clear that the majority are men and young people aged 15 to 29 years.

To combat the stigma associated with mental health, we need to speak openly and without fear. Education becomes fundamental in this process: from schools to workplaces, there can be places to identify warning signs and provide support. Help and advice lines such as the CVV Center’s Disc 188 are important in times of despair. Effective prevention begins with the ability to quickly identify and respond to those at risk.

Psychiatrist Dr. Othmar Steiner from the Santa Catarina de Blumenau Hospital notes that these behavioral changes, such as negative outlooks for the future, hopelessness associated with insomnia and alcohol or other substance abuse, already indicate that a person may have mental disorder. disorder requiring treatment. What protects a person most from suicide is a support network that can help by noticing changes and offering to talk. “If there is a feeling of hopelessness, we can talk about a person’s view of the future, their desire not to live, and even suicidal thoughts,” explains Dr. Steiner.

Education and support: fighting mental health stigma in Yellow September – Photo: Disclosure

Signs may appear in different ways. Noticeable changes in behavior, such as social isolation, lack of interest in daily activities, or sleep disturbances, may be signs that someone needs help. When a person expresses a hopeless tone or even mentions a lack of meaning in life or a desire to disappear, this may be a good time to offer support. Depression can be “the result of a specific and specific experience, disappointment, loss or grief. The most appropriate approach is psychotherapy,” says Dr. Steiner.

To diagnose suicide risk, you need a clinical assessment by psychiatrists, psychologists or social workers. In this way, strategies such as regular psychological therapy or appropriate medications can be outlined. Interdisciplinary approaches that involve a team of health care providers ensure a more effective approach to suicide prevention.

Without being afraid to talk about the topic, prevention starts with education, awareness, and eliminating the stigma around the topic. Identifying warning signs, diagnosing risk and offering appropriate treatment are critical steps in combating this sad reality and in the quest to save lives.

With over 50 years of experience in the field of mental health, get to know the structure of the Mental Health Clinic of Santa Catarina de Blumenau Hospital – Disclosure / Santa Catarina de Blumenau Hospital