Help for people experiencing suicidal thoughts

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MZINGAZI community volunteer Sharon Mdletshe has expressed her concern about the number of suicides in the area over the past few months.

This after a 29-year-old man reportedly took his own life after a domestic altercation on Saturday night.

Mdletshe appealed to community members who are having suicidal thoughts to visit her at the trauma room at the Richards Bay SAPS or contact LifeLine Zululand.

‘It is so sad that people take their own lives when there are organisations available to offer help and assistance.

‘It is traumatic to see what the families of the deceased have to go through and we want to prevent others from experiencing this pain.

‘If community members feel they are at a dead end, experiencing major problems or challenges, we want them to visit us and we can work together in finding solutions and addressing their issues.

‘By speaking and sharing problems, they can find new perspective on the matter and often realise it is not the end.’

Help

Meanwhile, LifeLine Zululand Director Michelle Jewlal said incidents of suicides are more prevalent towards the end of the year and the beginning of a new one.

‘Suicides increase during the Christmas season because there is a lot of increased stress during the holidays, be it financial, family or loneliness. Sometimes it is too much for one to handle.

‘At LifeLine we are here to help and offer counselling and emotional wellness services.

‘We appeal to the public who experience suicidal thoughts to contact us and they can speak to a professional counsellor for help.

‘Our services are available free of charge and is highly confidential.

‘The community can contact our call centre or visit our offices to make appointments for counselling. LifeLine Zululand’s office number is 035 7892472 and the crisis line is 035 7897788.

Causes

Common causes of suicide include:

• anxiety

• bipolar disorder

• depression

• schizophrenia

• traumatic experience (physical abuse, sexual abuse, trauma in war or post-traumatic stress disorder)

• bullying

• personality disorders which make it difficult to function within society

• borderline personality disorder

• drug addiction or substance abuse

• eating disorders

• unemployment

• social isolation or loneliness

• relationship problems, genetics or family history

• philosophical desire or existential crisis where life feels empty or meaningless

• terminal illness

• chronic pain

• financial problems.

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