In the framework of the World Suicide Prevention Day, the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) in Yucatan provides guidance on some actions to identify the main warning signs related to mental health in order to prevent suicide.
If you know or know someone who has suicidal thoughts, learn to identify the warning signs, to seek help and timely professional treatment.
The head of Medical Services, Dr. Flor Rodríguez Melo, explained that most suicide attempts or those that are consummated are associated with the presence of a mental disorder; on the other hand, factors such as alcohol consumption, problems with the use and abuse of substances or circumstances that do not seem to have a solution, such as the loss of a family member, a partner, a job, including situations such as stress at work, school or any other cause, can also be added.
World Suicide Prevention Day is an awareness day always observed on 10 September every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world since 2003.
Some of the main signs that can help us to identify a possible mental disorder:
- Feeling hopelessness, helplessness, lack of courage, deep sadness.
- Lack of interest in activities that are usually considered enjoyable.
- Changing eating and sleeping patterns (may be increased or decreased).
- Feeling anxious or irritable.
- Physical pain with no apparent physical cause.
- Decreased school or work performance.
- Not wanting to be in contact with other people
- Having suicidal thoughts or thoughts related to death.
Dr. Rodriguez Melo assures that “When someone talks about committing suicide, it must be taken very seriously, and support from a specialist must be requested and managed, in order to detect the person’s needs and provide appropriate treatment. Therefore, we reiterate the recommendation to request attention from a professional in a timely manner in order to identify in a timely - professional in a timely manner to identify in early stages any suicidal behavior,” he said.
- Warning signs of a possible suicide attempt:
- Making direct threats to harm oneself or take one’s own life.
- Being focused on death, either with conversations, drawings or writings.
- Devising a plan for a suicide attempt.
- Having personality or mood changes, including suddenly becoming happy or calm after being sad.
- Neglecting aspects of hygiene and physical fitness.
- Suddenly and without explanation thinking about legal matters, such as creating a will or arranging life insurance.
- Saying goodbye to friends and loved ones.
- History of suicide in the family.
- Previous record of self-injury (cuts, burns).
In case of presenting any or some of the aspects mentioned above, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible.
It should be reiterated that people who suffer from psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, which leads to hallucinations or delusions, or personality disorders, which generate impulsivity and emotional instability, are also vulnerable to suicide and should seek medical attention, so it is also important to be aware of their physical and mental health.
In view of this, the Mexican Institute of Social Security in Yucatan, calls on the beneficiaries with these symptoms or family members and caregivers who identify them, to accompany them to the Family Medicine Unit that corresponds to them and receive timely care by medical staff, if necessary, be referred to other services.
Similarly, to support the safeguarding of mental health, IMSS implemented nationwide tools such as the 800 2222 668 number, and option 4, which provides medical guidance by telephone related to mental health, from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 20:00 hours.
TYT Newsroom
