Late yesterday evening around 4.55pm, a male of his 30’s stunned onlookers in the Wisma Seberkas building when he tried to attempt suicide from the ledge of its sixth floor. The police, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Emergency squad from Sarawak General Hospital had rushed to the scene as soon as they received the SOS from the guards on duty. The drama caused a long traffic jammed along the immediate road to Wisma Saberkas and even worse it was right on time when the office hours has ended and people were all leaving at the same time. After almost two hours of negotiation, the man was finally convinced by the authority to give up his intention and was later brought to Simpang Tiga police station to be investigated. It was said that the man had decided to commit suicide due to marital problems.
Incident like this is definitely a NO laughing matter. All this while, we often heard cases like these happened only in the big and busy/hectic cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, New York or New Delhi. But what about now? This is a proved of even Sarawakians can be exposed to this problem nowadays. And yet, Sarawak is known for its serene and peaceful ambiance which is NOT likely to lead in suicide attempt among its society. Even tourists from all over the world would spend thousands of dollars and fly hundreds miles away from their homeland just to be in Sarawak to enjoy its tranquility setting.
Thus, this gets me thinking…have we thought of the solutions for this matter? The right ways to handle it? Or even just to get ourselves prepared to face this situation when dealing with it in the future? Sound scary? Believe me it is scary! Especially when your mind is a total clueless in this matter. You wouldn’t even know how to start the negotiation right? Just imagine if this thing happens to your family members or your friends. Wouldn’t it be frustrating to not being able to help them get out from this deadly mess? For that reason, I’ve managed to do some research on this issue and would like to share it with the world, with the hope that it will be useful to all of you.
Myths and Facts on Suicide
Myth: That talking to someone about their suicidal feelings will cause them to commit suicide.
Fact: Asking someone about their suicidal feelings may make the person feel relieved that someone finally recognized their emotional pain.
Myth: That all suicidal people want to die and there is nothing that can be done about it.
Fact: Most suicidal people are ambivalent; that is, part of them is saying, "I want to die" but part of them is saying, "I want to live."
Myth: That people. who talk about committing suicide never actually do it.
Fact: When someone talks about committing suicide, he/she may be giving a warning that should not be ignored by others who hear such comments.
Myth: That there is a "typical" type of person who commits suicide.
Fact: The potential for suicide exists in all of us. There is no "typical" type of suicidal person.
Myth: That suicide occurs without warning.
Fact: Many people, including adolescents, give warnings of their suicidal intent.
When you suspect that a friend or a family member may be suicidal, you may become nervous and anxious. This is a normal feeling. It may help if you remember the following:
+ Do not allow yourself to be sworn to secrecy by the suicidal person. You may lose a friendship, but you may save a life.
+ Believe or trust your suspicions that the person may be self-destructive.
+ Do not leave the person alone if you believe the risk for suicide is immediate.
+ Communicate your concern for the well-being of the person. Be an active listener and show your support.
+ Do not act shocked at what the person tells you.
+ Be direct. Talk openly and freely and ask direct questions about the person’s intentions. Try to determine if the person has a plan for suicide (how, where, when). The more detailed the plan, the greater the risk.
+ Do not counsel the person yourself.
+ Get professional help. Encourage the person to seek help from a school counselor, minister, or someone who can help solve the problems. If the person resists, You may have to get the necessary help for them.
+ Do not debate whether suicides is right or wrong. This may make the person feel more guilty.
+ Do not give false assurance.
Myth: That talking to someone about their suicidal feelings will cause them to commit suicide.
Fact: Asking someone about their suicidal feelings may make the person feel relieved that someone finally recognized their emotional pain.
Myth: That all suicidal people want to die and there is nothing that can be done about it.
Fact: Most suicidal people are ambivalent; that is, part of them is saying, "I want to die" but part of them is saying, "I want to live."
Myth: That people. who talk about committing suicide never actually do it.
Fact: When someone talks about committing suicide, he/she may be giving a warning that should not be ignored by others who hear such comments.
Myth: That there is a "typical" type of person who commits suicide.
Fact: The potential for suicide exists in all of us. There is no "typical" type of suicidal person.
Myth: That suicide occurs without warning.
Fact: Many people, including adolescents, give warnings of their suicidal intent.
When you suspect that a friend or a family member may be suicidal, you may become nervous and anxious. This is a normal feeling. It may help if you remember the following:
+ Do not allow yourself to be sworn to secrecy by the suicidal person. You may lose a friendship, but you may save a life.
+ Believe or trust your suspicions that the person may be self-destructive.
+ Do not leave the person alone if you believe the risk for suicide is immediate.
+ Communicate your concern for the well-being of the person. Be an active listener and show your support.
+ Do not act shocked at what the person tells you.
+ Be direct. Talk openly and freely and ask direct questions about the person’s intentions. Try to determine if the person has a plan for suicide (how, where, when). The more detailed the plan, the greater the risk.
+ Do not counsel the person yourself.
+ Get professional help. Encourage the person to seek help from a school counselor, minister, or someone who can help solve the problems. If the person resists, You may have to get the necessary help for them.
+ Do not debate whether suicides is right or wrong. This may make the person feel more guilty.
+ Do not give false assurance.
(Articles from Dare To Live)
Signing out. TheWonderWoman
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