Carolina Gomez Mena
The newspaper La Jornada
Monday, September 9, 2024, p. 16
In Mexico, the suicide rate has increased: in 2017 it stood at 5.3 per 100,000 inhabitants and by 2022 it rose to 6.3, said Pamela Espinosa Méndez, responsible for the coordination of the National Program for the Prevention of Suicide of the National Commission for Mental Health and Additions of the Ministry of Health.
He explained that men commit suicide more often because they use more lethal methods, and women attempt suicide more frequently. The rate is 10.5 per 100,000 men and 2.3 per 100,000 women, which means that 81.3 percent of suicides are men and 18.7 percent are women.
“On the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day, which is commemorated tomorrow, the child and adolescent psychiatrist explained that the most vulnerable group to suicidal behavior is 15 to 29 years of age; They have the highest rates of suicidal behavior
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He recommended not to minimize or ignore someone who verbalizes ideas about ending his or her existence, since nine out of 10 people who attempt to take their own lives expressly stated their intention and the other one let that intention be seen.
He stressed that You have to listen without judging, take the signals seriously, offer support, express empathy and genuine concern, making them feel that they are not alone.
this can save lives.
Suicidal behavior is multifactorial, not only associated with some psychiatric disorder such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorders, which increase the risk, he stressed. “Economic, work, educational problems (poor performance), lack of opportunities and domestic, emotional, sexual and social violence also have an impact. bullying”.
He also warned that The consumption of psychoactive substances is another relevant factor, since they increase impulsiveness, reduce inhibition and lead to self-destructive behaviors.
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To prevent and avoid suicidal behavior, it is important to have support networks throughout all cycles of a person’s development. Situations of isolation increase hopelessness
. It is relevant to understand that Anyone can engage in suicidal behavior, whether or not they experience one or more of the factors described.
This is the central message that health authorities and the Mexico City Metro will make clear tomorrow at the opening of an exhibition on the subject of this means of transport, which, unfortunately, is used to try to take one’s own life.
It will be at Zaragoza station. There are images of people in different stages of development with different phrases. It shows that it can happen to anyone and that suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility.
The main behaviors of people prone to suicide include isolating themselves from friends and family, losing interest in activities that previously motivated them, giving away personal items, changes in their routines, sleeping and eating patterns, becoming impulsive and irritable, and beginning to look for ways to end their existence.
Through the National Program for Suicide Prevention, which began in 2019 with support from PAHO and UNAM, doctors have been trained, research and campaigns are being conducted, among other actions. The plan is for it to continue in the next six-year term.
