The large number of suicides that occur in our country represent a red alert regarding the deterioration of mental health, and the little relevance that is given to it.
Mental health was much more compromised during the time of the pandemic and last 2021 closed with around 400 cases of suicide. The World Health Organization issued a report in June where it mentions that stigmatization, discrimination and violation of the human rights of people with mental disorders are widespread in society and in care systems around the world. world.
According to the WHO, around a billion people in 2019 were already affected by a mental disorder and suicides represent a cause of almost 100 deaths per day.
From the General Directorate of Strategic Information in Health, there is evidence of a progressive increase in the numbers compared to the last 5 years and currently 318 cases of suicides are registered so far this year; the number is really alarming.
In Paraguay, as in the rest of the world, the coronavirus pandemic was a key weapon that affected mental health and even before it, there were already many cases of people taking their own lives.
The psychologist Camila González, gave some statements regarding the importance of preserving mental health to avoid reaching a state where “there is no way out” and mentioned that it is important that mental health is in condition for there to be general health. “If you are not well mentally, there is no real health, physical health is not complete and being well mentally does not mean or is associated with being happy or sad. I think it’s important to understand that everything that affects the mind ultimately ends up damaging the body.”
The professional highlighted that one of the positive aspects that the pandemic brought with it was that finally people began to prioritize their mental health: “Many people were encouraged to resort to spaces for psychological support and that is already a great advance.”
González declared that the best help that can be given to a person with suicidal tendencies is to validate their feelings, understand what they are doing the best they can and try to accompany them: “The ideal thing is to try to socialize with that person and try to show them that they have someone to count on”.
Mental health is still a taboo and is still associated with “being crazy” and it is important for people to know that you don’t have to wait until you feel really bad to ask for help; the earlier is always better, recommended the professional.
