“Place your hand over your heart, can you feel it? That is called purpose. You’re alive for a reason so don’t ever give up.” – Unknown

Life in this world is like a game, full of obstacles, mind-blowing challenges, fake people, and hard situations, and if you choose to give up and surrender, you lose.

These sufferings will bring you hard times, making you think twice, however, if you've eaten up by it, it'll be your end.

Suicide is no joke. Killing yourself isn't the solution. I know some of us may have thought of committing or attempting it. Difficult situations and emotions may lead us in thinking this way, however, it will never be a solution nor an answer to your worries.

Suicide has been a headline for how many years already. Due to depression, tough situations, unbearable circumstances with no one to talk to, a person harms themselves to try to end their sufferings through killing their own lives.

Since the pandemic started, I've heard and seen a lot of suicide incidents for these past months. However, what's making me wonder is almost all of these incidents are blaming the modular lessons or modules given by each respective school for their students. I know this new normal especially in the education system was quite hard to deal with. However, if we all complain and pinpoint everything about what is bad for us, what would be our progress then?

While listening to the radio this morning I was saddened by the news being reported. The anchorman said that a Grade 7 pupil commits suicide at Tigbauan, Iloilo. I was shocked when he said it was a 12 years old Grade 7 pupil. The report says that the 12-year-old boy was found hanging in a bamboo bridge on the way to their house.

This incident was so miserable in a way, however, as said by the victim's brother, his brother told him that he doesn't know how to answer his modules. And his family blame the modules again. The mother of the victim was interviewed, and she said she believed that her child committed suicide.

*The interview goes in Ilonggo, but I'll try to translate it to English.

Reporter: So, do you think that the modules made him kill himself, ma'am?

Mother: Yes I believed that the modules added more hard times to him. He even told his brother that he haven't answered his modules yet because he doesn't know the answers.

Reporter: So, you won't let his body to undergo an autopsy?

Mother: I think there's no need for an autopsy. But his father insisted that there's a foul play. He couldn't believe that our son can do that. But for me it is suicide.

Before this incident, I found out that yesterday a Grade 10 student committed suicide too in San Joaquin, Iloilo. And believe it or not, modules are the ones to blame. Causing these two kids to kill themselves.

As said by the mother of the Grade 10 student.

“The last time we saw each other, he told me that he can't take his module. He slammed his module because he cannot answer it. He doesn't have a cell phone too.”

Modules, why does everyone blaming it?

Students, parents and some people are complaining about these modular lessons. They said classes should be suspended and re-open next year to ensure safety. However, the Department of Education insisted to begin classes in October, lessons will be modular or online. It was hard, no one said it was easy, nonetheless, everyone is affected, everyone is dealing with it, coping, and do the tasks given.

As a mom, this is my son's first-ever school experience, modular lessons. Though it was difficult in some ways, we as parents can do something to lessen the hard times of our children. Parents should be the first person to check how was their child doing especially in his/her modules. Parents can do something to prevent the instances of committing suicides in children.

It's just sad to see news reports where suicide is the headline of it. Knowing that as years past victims of suicide are at a very young age or younger generations.

According to the World Health Organization:

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among age groups of 15-19 years old.

Close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year.

For every suicide, there are many more people who attempt suicide every year. A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide in the general population.

Ingestion of pesticide, hanging, and firearms are among the most common methods of suicide globally.

Suicide doesn't have a single cause. It may have a root and more situations just linked-in. There must be certain situations or happenings that may lead an individual to end his life.

The warning signs of suicide are indicators that a person may be in acute danger and may urgently need help.

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself. “I wish I hadn’t been born,” and “I’d be better off dead.” Or talks anything about suicide, dying, or self-harm.

• Looking for a way to kill oneself. Seeking access to guns, pills, knives, or other objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.

• Talking about feeling trapped or being in unbearable pain. Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose. Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and being trapped “There’s no way out”. The belief that things will never get better or change.

• Talking about being a burden to others. Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, shame, and self-hatred.

• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs. Acting anxious, agitated, or reckless. Increased alcohol or drug use, reckless driving, unsafe sex. Taking unnecessary risks as if they have a “death wish.”

• Sleeping too little or too much. Oversleeping and has no energy to get uo in bed or can't sleep at all.

• Withdrawing or feeling isolated. Withdrawing from friends and family. Increasing social isolation. Desire to be left alone.

• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge and displaying extreme mood swings.

Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously. If you think you have someone you know who is suicidal, there’s something you can do to help save a life.

Prevention Tips

1: Speak up if you’re worried

It is best to speak up especially when you have seen some warning signs in your friend or family member. If you saw your child looking so down and acting strangely, try to talk to him but it is best. to choose the right and appropriate words in asking or talking, for these people are very. sensitive in their feelings. Listen to them and let them express their feelings. If you successfully let him talk, this will provide relief from loneliness and pent-up negative feelings, and may prevent a suicide attempt.

2. Never Ignore and Respond quickly

Most people think that a person who talks about suicide won’t do it. Almost everyone who attempts suicide has given some clue or warning. It’s important to evaluate the immediate danger the person is in. Don’t ignore even indirect references to death or suicide.

3. Offer help and support

If you saw your loved one is suicidal the best way to help is by offering an empathetic, listening ear. Have the courage to help him in making him love and like life again. However, you can offer support, but you can’t make a suicidal person get better. They have to make a personal commitment to recovery.

4. Avoid quick judgments and saying foul words

Nowadays most victims of suicide were teens or younger children. I remember a case last year. when a 16 years old boy ended his life and left a letter to his younger brother.

*The letter says that he is sorry for being a worthless child. His parents would be better off without him so that they don't have to be irritable and enraged with him. He also included his siblings and wished them to fulfill all their dreams. Especially his younger brother whom he hopes will reach his dreams of having a mini sound, 5JS mini sound.

After reading this letter I thought maybe he was often told worthless that's why he said those words in his letter. Avoid using such words, because. you will never know how it will impact anyone. Avoid using below the belt words for these words may affect the child's or the person's way of thinking which may lead to ending his own life.

So who to blame?

Suicidal thoughts don't just pop out in someone else's mind unless triggered. And the hardest part of dealing with suicide is the blame. Who to be blamed? For me, no one should be blamed for suicide. Victims were not cowards, but they are helpless when they were still alive. Modules just add up some hard times to those two suicide incidents I've mentioned above, however, I think it's not the root cause. Instead of blaming others or the victims let just served it as a lesson. A lesson in which suicide can be prevented. You can do even a simple way to save the life of a suicidal person. Suicide is no joke. We talk about lives here. Some people may say, we shouldn't talk about this kind. of topics, but if we don't talk about it, how can we prevent it to happen? How do we know who is suffering? How can we open someone's mind about this? This may serve as an eye-opener for everyone.

Parents, students, or being just a simple individual, we only have our life once. We can't bring back what is gone nor predict what tomorrow may bring. Life is not full of sunny days it will have rainy and stormy days too. But after those bad days, will bring you reasons for a new hope to love and care about life again. Don't give up, you are not alone in facing those struggles. If you have difficulties, remember there's someone who struggles more than you but he's doing anything and strives just to live. And some people loved to care for you, though you may feel alone, always remember that God is with you and He loves you.

To the students who are facing so many difficulties in their modules and online classes, killing yourself won't solve anything. Instead, it will give your family another burden in life. In reality coffins and burials are more pricey than your modules. If you don't know the answers don't pressure yourself. And to the parents give some considerations to your child. You gave life to them and you should be the one to let them feel how lovely life could be. Support your children, show care for them, don't put too much stress and pressure on them, instead, help them to deal with it. Prevent it to happen so that you don't have regrets.

“Suicide doesn’t end the chances of life getting worse, it eliminates the possibility of it ever getting any better.” – Anonymous

🥀 @eommaZel ✍🏻

Source:
https://save.org/about-suicide/warning-signs-risk-factors-protective-factors/