Suicide and Self harm are related to severe mental health illness caused due to the sudden changes in mood swings, behavioral patterns, thoughts and through the experience of extremely distressing symptoms. Individuals with severe mental disorders are at an extreme risk of suicide and self-harm.

What is the relation between suicides and self-harm?

Many times self-harm is related to attempting to suicide or it may be different from suicide. The difference in the perspective of these mental health illnesses is because the reason for self-harms is different from reason to suicide. In other ways, people who commit suicide put an end to all their feelings while those who self harm do it to make themselves feel better and take out their frustration.

 Self harm and suicide are therefore two distinct terms where self harm refers to deliberate harm where the aim is not death and suicide is done with the aim of death. Being aware of early signs and indications of self-harm and suicide can avoid death and more harm.

 Self Harm: The most common ways of self-harm are cutting, burning, and intake of poisonous drugs or hitting oneself against an object. Self-harm is repetitive in nature and intentionally not life threatening. The injurer does not intend to die with his acts.

 There are number of psychological or mental health factors related to self-harm: 

• People with mental disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, and personality disorder.
• People who are impulsive and sensitive to rejection
• People who cannot deal with situations and have a strong dislike for themselves

 Why do people self-harm?

People who self harm have different theories for their acts: 

• They are not able to control their strong emotions.
• Secondly, for some it is a way to seek attention. They have been ignored, their communication has been received in a negative way, or they have been given an inappropriate response.
• Thirdly, self-harm can be the result of physical, mental health and sexual abuse.

 Suicide:

 People who are isolated and unheard are the people who are thinking of suicide. They try desperately to change their situation or make sense of their situation. Their attempt often leads to death.

  Which factors are associated with suicide?

There are different situations and events relating to suicide: 

• Mental disorders concerning mental health
• Impulsive attitude
• Previous history
• Trauma
• Alcohol
• Job loss
• Financial loss
• Failure in exams, relationships
• Sudden illness
• Lack of support leading to isolation
• Stigma of a rape victim or molestation

  How can you help people from self-harm and suicidal tendencies?

 People with severe mental health illness are at an increased risk of suicide and self-harm. Following these simple tips might prove to be helpful in preventing people from harmful acts.

• Be sensitive to their feelings by listening to them and clearing their misconceptions.
• Be understanding and loving as this makes the person feel wanted and heard. Try to remove the guilt fear from the person by making him realizes that you are there for him. Do not punish or isolate him for his mistake.
• Be communicative with him and talk to him in private giving him time and space to open up with his thoughts.
• Validate the person’s perspective without judging and criticizing him.
• Provide them with information of the drawbacks of such acts and their consequences. Be prepared to answer their queries.
• Never leave them alone. Always have someone with them to keep them involved in activities and conversations.
• Professional help from psychiatric and medication is of good help.

 Suicide is the leading cause of deaths, mental health illness, and disability. Self-harm is a deliberate act of causing harm or major cause of attempting to suicide. These both are severe disorders resulting from mental illness and should not be ignored. Neglecting such acts can lead to drastic consequences for the family as well as for the person concerned

Relationship between Suicide and Self-Harm is a post from: Mental Health