Research conducted on South African suicide trends indicates
that attempted or committed suicide among young children is increasing. Suicide statistics
in South Africa reveal devastating findings, at any rate, “one suicide is committed
every hour and 20 more unsuccessful attempts are made in the same time span,
and one third of all non-fatal attempts were recorded among children” (www.iol.co.za).
Research conducted on suicide among school children in South
Africa indicates that up to 7.8 % had attempted suicide, and about 4% have disclosed
thoughts of suicide with close friends, family members and including counsellors.
Children may possibly assume that death is reversible and may not take death
seriously. Data has also confirmed that children generally overdose on
household poison, while on the other hand, adults may take on a more destructive
approach (www.iol.co.za).
Below are statistics of suicidal
behavior patterns reported in South Africa;
· “Nearly five times more males than
females commit suicide.
· Suicides occur in the younger age
groups (15-34 years old).
· Up to 8 000 South Africans commit
suicide annually.
· The youngest suicide fatality in
2001 was 10 years old, but more fatal suicides occurred in the 15-19 age group.
· Firearms, hanging and poison
ingestion were found to be the most common methods of suicide in South Africa.
· According to the World Health Organization,
in South Africa hanging accounted for 36,2 percent, followed closely by
shooting (35 percent), poisoning (9,8 percent), gassing (6,5 percent) and
burning (4,1 percent).
· Among victims, those aged 10-34
mainly used hanging, 25-29 used poison, burning and jumping, 30-34 used
firearms, and 40-44 opted for gassing.”
Substantial evidence points out that
a traumatic event such as child abuse may potentially increase the
possibilities of an individual committing suicide. Trauma is defined as an event that is
a characterized as life-threatening or an event that jeopardizes
the physical or emotional well-being of an individual. Such events may eventually
lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, (PTSD). The trauma associated
with child abuse can carry on for a life time, hence, developing a greater risk
of anxiety, depression and suicide. (www.ptsd.va.gov/ professional/pages/ptsd-suicide.asp)
Analyzing the relation
between trauma, PTSD, and suicide is a vital significance in understanding the
reality of suicide. Research validates that there is a strong correlation between trauma and suicidal
behaviors. For instance, studies have established that trauma victims with PTSD
have a significantly higher probability of suicide, than trauma victims diagnosed
with other psychiatric disorders (www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/pages/ptsd-suicide.asp).
Suicidal
Individuals who have faced trauma usually appear socially withdrawn and may
become depressed. Anger and impulsivity is a common response associated with
PTSD, which may possibly progress into full-blown rage. This has also been
shown to be a great indication for predicting suicide risk. In some reported
cases, suicidal Individuals who are less capable of maintaining control over
their actions may become a threat to themselves or other people (www.everydayhealth.com/ptsd-and-suicide-risk).
Among
the numerous PTSD symptoms, the most frequent reported symptoms include; terrifying
memories and nightmares about the traumatic event, upsetting flashbacks that may
disturb an individual’s daily lifestyle. As a result, people with PTSD are
predisposed to suicide as they may often feel irritable and tense with a
tendency to act impulsively. Other factors that may contribute to suicide risk
include depression and suppressed stress instead of managing negative emotions. Severe anxiety-related symptoms
can worsen PTSD such as irritability, restlessness, and agitation may enhance
suicidal tendencies (www.ptsd.va. gov/professional/pages/ptsd-suicide.asp).
Suicide
is very tragic and at most times it is very difficult to indicate accurately when
a suicide threat may actually become an actual suicide. Therefore it’s crucial to
take suicidal threats seriously. Reported cases of suicidal threats and
attempts must be handled with caution.
It’s also very important to recognize PTSD symptoms, and be
alert to particular signs such as emotional withdrawal in traumatized victims,
especially those with alleged suicidal threats.
References
Diana Rodrigez, PTDS and Suicide Risk.
February 2006. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Everyday health.com. www.everydayhealth.com/ptsd-and-suicide-risk
Latoya Newman, SA’s Shocking Suicide
Statistics February 2007. www.iol.co.za
/sa-s-shocking-suicide-statistics.
William Hudenko, PhD and Tina
Crenshaw, PhD. National Center for PTSD. December 2011. The Relationship
Between PTSD and Suicide.
William Hudenko, PhD and Tina
Crenshaw, PhD. National Center for PTSD. December 2011. The Relationship
Between PTSD and Suicide. www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/pages/ptsd-suicide.asp
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