Male mental health and suicide

Comment Newsday 23 minutes ago

Dr. Margaret Nakhid-Chatoor –

DR. MARGARET NAKHID-CHATOOR

SEPTEMBER is the month of suicide awareness and prevention. Suicide affects any family who has lost a loved one in countless ways that last a lifetime.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the number of boys and men who end their own lives prematurely has increased steadily.

With the public awareness of mental illness increasing, it is a known fact that while women have more suicidal thoughts (thoughts) and are trying their own lives, men are far more likely to die from suicide, five times as many as women.

Men use more deadly means such as guns, poisons, and hanging, and may have easier access to these means.

It is interesting to note that studies show that some men are also more likely to have used alcohol or drugs before they committed suicide. Drinking can deepen depression and increase impulsive and risky behavior; Alcoholism is a known risk factor for suicide.

Mental illness in boys and men is a social problem worldwide and in many cultures, as they rarely admit that they feel depressed or have a problem that is too overwhelming to manage on their own. Men find it difficult to ask for help or want to talk to others about it.

In TT, people have reported that male relatives have committed suicide due to financial problems and are “hunted by banks to repay loans,” the so-called customer service of banks is disappearing in a crisis pandemic with frequent job losses and people losing their loan obligations cannot keep up.

Mothers have indicated that their boys speak of suicide, especially those who were not doing well just before their exams. One evening a mother called the hotline at 9:20 p.m. begging for help because her 11-year-old son had told her that he wanted to kill himself and no longer wanted to live.

What could be the social pressures that prompted this young boy, at the age of 11, to speak of death so early in a life not yet lived?

For example, recent police statistics on suicidal deaths in this society, compiled by MindWise Director Maria Divina O’Brien, support research that mental illness is significantly high in men. The culture of silence prevails among men and boys who are encouraged to be “strong” and not admit that they have difficulty dealing with challenges.

From January to August we lost 86 people to suicide, 77 boys and men between the ages of nine and 60 and nine women between the ages of 26 and 60. The youngest boy to die by suicide was nine years old and the youngest girl to attempt suicide was 11 years old.

In the same period last year, 80 percent of suicidal deaths were boys and men, and in 2021 that number rose to an alarming 89 percent for this group.

We need to change the cultural paradigm of silence and enforced isolation and make it easier for boys and men to talk about their sensitivities and let them know that this is not a sign of weakness but an emotional resilience. Many may just need a listening ear, a friendly smile, and calming words to get through another day.

A 48-year-old repeat / frequent caller with a history of mental illness who had made the rounds of all counselors on the phone said to me soberly, “I know what my problem is, you know. You just have to listen to me – otherwise nobody seems to care. ”

In many cases, risk factors are often related to family or work, and the current economic downturn, with rising unemployment and financial loss, has been linked to an associated increase in suicides. Social isolation and difficult social relationships add to these risks.

It should be noted that while these risk factors are common to many people, there are also boys and men who are more resilient and more able to cope with life’s stressors.

Coping skills are vital, and many of them are able to cope with the presence of protective factors, such as the TTAP (717-8827).

If you need help please go to Psychologytt.org and press the red button to access our numbers.

Suicide is preventable. Fathers, brothers, grandfathers, teachers, church leaders, and friends must model healthy self-care behaviors for our boys and men. Talk openly about psychological challenges and give solutions or positive affirmations. Be a pillar of support and a guiding light in someone’s darkness.

Again my motto: Everyone has to reach you!

Dr. Margaret Nakhid-Chatoor is a psychologist / educator and immediate past President of TTAP

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2021/09/14/male-mental-health-and-suicide/