Every 40 seconds, in the world, a person suicide, every three someone tries to do it. Suicide is a constantly growing social emergency after pandemic. From data WHO Impressive numbers emerge: in the world, every year, they count from 800 thousand to million.
In Italy, they are on average 10 people that every day take their lives, for a total of beyond 300 suicides per month. According to the latest data Istat Available, the phenomenon is constantly increasing: the rate recorded in the last two years analyzed represents the highest value observed since 2015.
In 2022, the most recent year monitored by Istat3,934 suicides were recorded, growing compared to the 3,870 of 2021 and 3,748 of 2020. The increase concerned almost all age groups, with the exception of that between 65 and 79 years. Particularly alarming are the data relating to youngerwhere, in the band 15-24 yearssuicide represents the Second cause of deathimmediately after road accidents: between 2020 and 2021 a significant increase in suicides had already been observed (+16%), followed by a further increase in 2022. In the same year, 552 suicides were recorded among young people aged between 15 and 34. To these are added 1,927 suicides between adults between 35 and 64 years old and 1,455 cases between over 65. The trend is still uphill, with beyond 6,700 people who in 2024 asked for support to Telephone friend Italy, than in the first Six months of the current year has already recorded more than 3,000 requests for help; A number that presages, also for 2025, an equally serious annual budget.
Suicide: is it possible to prevent it?
“Prevention is possible and necessary”, states Cristina Rigon, President of Telefono Amico Italia. “To make it real we must, first of all, sensitize public opinion and institutions on the need for structured and coordinated actions to counter the phenomenon”.
Even before this, however, it is necessary to “break it social stigma on suicide, which leads not to face this topic, transforming it into a taboo of which we cannot speak », underlines Rigon.
Precisely to raise awareness and inform the association on the occasion of the World day for suicide preventionwhich falls on 10 September, the association launches the campaign Don’t talk about it is 1 suicide: throughout Italy, enlightened monuments and volunteers in the square to break the taboo and raise awareness.
«The central point from which to start is the full awareness that the individuals at risk of suicideactually, they wouldn’t want to die at allthey would only like their mental pain, which has become unbearable, it was relieved, “he explains Maurizio PompiliFull professor of Psychiatry at Sapienza University of Rome and director of the Complex Operations Unit of Psychiatry at the Sant’Andrea Hospital-University of Rome, a member of the Scientific Committee of Telefono Amico Italia. «The prevention of suicide, therefore, is possible and the first step is recognize this suffering and commit to alleviating it. There are three types of suicide prevention: the primary prevention which concerns awareness on the topic of suicide at the level of the general community; there secondary prevention which concerns groups that could be exposed more to the phenomenon and the tertiary preventionrelating to those who have already come into contact with suicidal experience. Each level correspond to several interventions and different interlocutors, but they are all fundamental to prevent such an impact phenomenon in the field of public health “.
However, there are alarm bells that can make us understand that a person meditates suicide. As Pompili had already specified in an interview with the newspaper Happen “It is fundamental observe the changesreally enter into relationship with their children, knowing how to welcome their moods, even the most difficult ones. The first thing to pay attention to are the words: I can’t take it anymore, What is it for living to… phrases like these must always be taken seriously ». To keep under observation also «i mood changesof sleepof theappetitefrom the Personal habitsfrom the relations and of affections. Sometimes, then, there may be emblematic behaviors, such as for example entrust other objects that there are particularly dear, as if you wanted to make a sort of will. And again, a sudden change in mood in positive. A distressed, depressed person, who at some point seems to feel good, appears to be raised. Also in this case it is important to be careful, because the apparent serenity could arise from the fact that you are remove a weight And a definitive decision took place on wanting to end their life ».
How to help a person with suicide thoughts
«The most important thing is never underestimate the signals And face the topic Gently but without fear », underlines Cristina Rigon, president of Telefono Amico Italia. «Talking about suicide does not push a person to commit suicide, on the contrary it can be a relief: many survivors say that what missed the most they was someone who listened to them Really. Lent listening means to put yourself in view to understand the experience of the other, without diminishing what it feels and without expressing judgmentsfocusing more attention on emotions than on the facts told. When a person perceives empathy And welcomeopens more easily and only then does it become possible to reason a way to go to overcome a moment of crisis. The dialogue It is the most concrete way to help those who live life as a weight and if we find ourselves in difficulty managing the weight of a conversation, we can seek support in turn ».
Tips to put into practice
1. NOT underestimate the problem
If you suspect that a friend, a family member or a close person may have suicidal thoughts, the situation should not be ignored. It is important to face it with seriousness and attention.
2. PART OPENEDLY
It is a common mistake to think that talking about suicide can induce someone to make the gesture. On the contrary, many people who survive a suicide attempt tell that what was missing was someone willing to really listen to them.
3. Legon with empathy, without diminishing pain and without judgment
Listening to a person in crisis can be difficult. It is essential to approach with the intention of understanding what the other person feels, avoiding to judge or minimize his emotions.
4. Look for immediate solutions
It is not our task “solving” the problems of the other, and often there is no quick solution. However, making the other feel and welcomed can offer concrete relief.
5. welcome suicide thoughts with caution and respect
Suicidal thoughts must be taken seriously. It is important to listen to them with the utmost attention, treating them delicately and without alarmism.
6.Ching help, if necessary
If you feel overwhelmed by the weight of this type of dialogue, it is completely legitimate and necessary ask for support To a professional (a psychologist, a family member, or a dedicated body).
6.
The dialogue It is often the first step to help Who is thinking of ending it.
Suicide: what to do if other supports need?
«In times of crisis theIntervention of mental health operators It is essential, but even the Helplines play a crucial role: to know they have the opportunity to call, at any time, a sensitive interlocutor represents, for those who live a moment of difficulty, a fundamental help for Find the connection with your vital parts And to re -emerge the will to go on », explains Pompili.
The role of awareness, awareness and training
From a social point of view, concludes Pompili “training And awareness They are crucial, because more we make the operators and the community aware of the suicidal problem, the more we are fighting to reduce this phenomenon. In each area of ​​the company, the message that, If you are in crisis and the desire to diethe possibility of being supported exists “.
Source: Vanity Fair
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