SUICIDE
Suicide was one of the groundbreaking books in the field of sociology . Written by French sociologist Émile Durkheim and published in 1897 it was a case study of suicide, a publication unique for its time which provided an example of what the sociological monograph should look like.
He differentiated between four types of suicide:

Egoistic suicide: Egoism is a state in which the ties attaching the individual to others in the society are weak. Since the individual is only weakly integrated into the society, ending his or her own life will have little impact on the rest of the society. In other words, there are few social ties to keep the individual from taking his or her own life. This Durkheim saw as the cause of suicide among divorced men, and has been cited as the cause of rising teenage suicides by contemporary sociologists.

Anomic suicide: Anomie is a state in which there is weak social regulation between the society’s norms and the individual, most often brought on by dramatic changes in economic and/or social circumstances. This type of suicide happens when the social norms and laws governing the society do not correspond with the life goals of the individual. Since the individual does not identify with the norms of the society, suicide seems to be a way to escape them. Examples include the spike in suicide rates following the 1929 Stock Market Crash in the United States, as well as the spike following the September 11th attacks

Altruistic suicide: Altruism is a state opposite to egoism, in which the individual is extremely attached to the society and thus has no life of his or her own. Individuals who commit suicide based on altruism die because they believe that their death can bring about a benefit to the society. In other words, when an individual is too heavily integrated into the society, he or she will commit suicide regardless of his or her own hesitation if the society’s norms ask for the person’s death. Durkheim saw this as occurring in two different ways:
– Where people saw themselves as worthless or a burden upon society and would therefore commit suicide. He saw this as happening in ancient or ‘primitive’ societies, but also in highly traditionalized army regiments, such as imperial or elite guards, in contemporary society.
– Where people saw the social world as meaningless and would sacrifice themselves for a greater ideal. Durkheim saw this as happening in ‘Eastern’ religions, such as the Sati in Hinduism. Some contemporary sociologists have used this analysis to explain Kamikaze pilots and the cult of the suicide bomber.

Fatalistic suicide: Fatalism is a state opposite to anomie in which social regulation is completely instilled in the individual; there is no hope of change against the oppressive discipline of the society. The only way for the individual to be released from this state is to commit suicide. Durkheim saw this as the reason for slaves committing suicide in antiquity, but saw it as having little relevance in modern society. Contemporary sociologists have argued that modern fatalistic suicide occurs in such societies as Japan, where social mobility is so limited by social norms that individual fulfillment is impossible.

Why Do People Commit Suicide?
In response to extreme emotional pain,
and suicidal thoughts and feelings due to various brain chemistry deficiencies and/or disorders.
Prolonged life circumstances of extreme stress, emotional upset, abuse, poverty, terrible living conditions, neglect, poor health, injury, disability – especially with no apparent hope of change or improvement can and do precipitate depression and suicidal thoughts for some.
What is not commonly known is that -
Suicidal thoughts are an involuntary affliction ! We don’t choose to think them. Suicidal thoughts just enter.Under depression person is not able to understand that the decison od death is taken by a sick body and not a healthy mind.

Is Suicide A Sin?
The main problem with suicide is that it is murder. You would be murdering a person even though it would be your own self – you are still a person.
While we are depressed, we must consider that our decisions will be based on a body system that is not functioning as it should

Who Want To Commit Suicide?
The personality matters a lot.
Who cares if I live or die?
Emotional crisis: loneliness, isolation, competitiveness, work pressure and interpersonal problems.
Attempts – women, men, children & adolescents, adults, certain professionals (physician, dentist, lawyers, & psychologists).
Completed – usually men (due to the method used).

Reasons / Causal factors:
Psychosocial – loss of sense of meaning in life and/or hopelessness about future.
Egoistic suicide, Anomic suicide, Altruistic suicide, Fatalistic suicide.
Early negative experience, irrational beliefs and cognitive functioning.
Biological – reduced serotonergic functioning, genetic vulnerabilities.
Sociocultural – religious taboo, Kamikaze (Japan)

Suicidal ambivalence
Some people do not really wish to die, but instead want to communicate a dramatic message to others concerning their distress.
Their suicidal methods involve non lethal methods.
Another subset of people are who tend to leave the question of death to fate. “If I die the conflict is settled, but if I am rescued that is what is meant to be”.

Communication of suicidal intent
A Myth – that people who talk about killing themselves never actually do it; that they are simply drawing attention to themselves.
Whether direct or indirect, communication of suicidal intent usually represents a warning and a cry for help.
Failing to receive it after a suicidal threat, they go on to actual suicide.
Suicide notes
Only 15-25% left notes, usually addressed to relatives or friends.
The emotional content could be positive, negative, neutral, or mixed.

A suicide note – “I just need it to be over. I’ve tried to be good and go on but I’m tired. I’m sorry for my children. You will be better off without a crazy-mixed-up mother. You are great kids, this is something in me. You deserve better. I can’t live without you and I know you will just get mixed-up with me. Sorry, mom”

Suicide poetry
“ I’ll draw you a picture
I’ll draw it with a twist
I’ll draw it with a razorblade
I’ll draw it on my wrist
cut your wrist and ease the pain
a minute of relief is all you’ll gain
life is so stupid
hopeless and weak
another cut on my wrist
is all that i seek ”

Prevention
Helping suicidal persons is a very precarious matter
Learn and Understand. Educate yourself about this illness. Realize that there are millions out there just like your loved one. Their feelings are their symptoms. And their life really is danger.
They really are suffering with a potentially fatal biological illness.
Tell Them
Ask Them
“Please Don’t
Kill Yourself”
Reinforce
Emotional Ties
Tell the person – Don’t do it !
TELL them often.
ASK them not to do it – PLEASE don’t.
Tell them you don’t want them to do it and that they are loved and would be badly missed

Crisis Intervention- help these people regain their ability to cope with their immediate problems.
Talking helps – tell the one to seek comfort and support in other family, friends, medical doctor, family counselor, therapist, clergy. Don’t carry it alone.
Sometimes people need to be hospitalized to keep them from attempting suicide.
As low serotonin levels are associated with it.
UNDERSTANDING HELPS letting the hope float..

HELPLINES -
Sanjeevani Society for Mental Health Premarital/ marital counselling, emotional instability/ psychological counselling. A-6, Qutub Institutional Area, Satsang Vihar Marg, New Delhi-110067. Ph: 4311918/ 4317285. Contact: V. S. Subramaniam.
Sumaitri – a crisis centre for the suicidal and despairing Depression, suicide prevention. 48, Babar Road, near Bengali Market, New Delhi-110001. Ph: 3710763.
The Samaritans Working with mentally ill, emotionally disturbed and suicidal persons, providing free treatment. Consulting and day-care rehabilitation. 1st Floor, Seva Niketan, Sir J. J. Road, Byculla, Mumbai-400008. Ph: 022-3092068
Sneha Suicide prevention centre No. 4, Avvai Shanmugham Lane, Royapettah, Chennai. Ph: 8273456

According to some studies, depression afflicts between 6% and 12% of American high school students. Depression in childen and adolescents is easily missed unless parents, teachers, and medical personnel recognize its signs and symptoms. Without the ability to recognize these symptoms, the first inkling a parent my have of the severity of a child’s illness is the tragedy of a completed suicide. Families and professionals review symptoms and recommend appropriate actions to take when it is suspected that a child or adolescent is at risk.

Envy/ jealousy – we often tend to feel that the other person is not giving much time to pamper us and thus don’t pay attention to the other person’s need. This behavior is self – defeating in itself. Due to the jealousy we do not remember to rejoice the success and accomplishments of the partner and hence miss the time one could spend together and happiness that they could share.

Take out time – for a good relationship you are required to have your priorities clear, don’t hurry up to click. At the initial stage itself, take out time to understand each others emotions and decide on the adjustment to make by both of you.

Taking Responsibility – realize that we can minimize our unhappiness by making personal responsibility and efforts to overcome them. Life isn’t bed of roses so the best thing is not to complain over it and blame others but rather own up to your failures while growing up and learning from it.

Overcoming the obstacles – realize that the unhappiness is caused by some obstacles or gap and the only way to come out of it make a choice to overcome.

Being perfect – It is impossible for any individual to be competent in every endeavor and an individual who feels one must be is doomed to a sense of failure. Stop fretting and instead striving to beat others, simply enjoy the activity itself.

Self esteem – “…Count your night by stars not shadows; count your life by smile not tears.” Have a high self esteem; for that be aware of your good qualities and accomplishments. Don’t show anxious over concern about any problem area, instead work towards correcting them.

Self efficacy – recognize your capacity or power to produce a desired effect. You have the ability to attain any thing that you wish.

Negativism – Characterized by habitual skepticism and a disagreeable tendency to deny or oppose or resist suggestions or commands. It only makes us feel worse. What you focus on, good or bad, are based upon the choices you make.

Be reasonable – Remove the distorted perceptions. Happiness in your life is the result of your own choices. Process information in a way that serves your need. Don’t expect others to change or try to change external factors. The one that can be changed by you is your own self which would in return have an impact on your environment; and you will notice the desirable changes there by positively changing your own self.

Meaningful feelings – follow your heart to seek happiness and put some meaning in your life.

The unhappiness feeling will vanish with your high spirited self and a fulfilling relationship. Change yourself to match the situation you are in and at time change the situation to match your needs. Influencing your life is in your hand.