Suicide is the deliberate act of killing oneself. Mental disorders are the causes of suicide. (such as depression, personality problems, alcohol dependence or schizophrenia), as well as physical illness, such as neurological diseases, cancer and HIV infection. There are effective strategies and measures to prevent suicide.

About 800 000 people take their own lives, and significantly more people attempt suicide. Every suicide is a tragedy, which affects families, communities and whole countries, long-term impact on living.

Suicide is a serious public health problem; however, with timely, evidence-based and often inexpensive interventions, suicide can be prevented. A comprehensive cross-sectoral suicide prevention strategy is required for a national response to be effective.

Who is at risk?

While there is a clear link between suicide and mental illness in high-income countries (first of all, depression and disorders, caused by alcohol consumption), many suicides are committed on impulse in times of crisis, when the ability to cope with stressful situations in life is lost, such as financial problems, breaking up a relationship or chronic pain and illness.

Moreover, suicidal behavior is largely associated with conflict, natural disasters, violence, abuse or loss, as well as a sense of isolation. Suicide rates are also high among the most vulnerable groups, who are discriminated against, eg, refugees and migrants; indigenous population; lesbians, homosexuals, bisexual, transsexuals and intersexuals (LGBTI); as well as prisoners. The strongest risk factor for suicide is a prior suicide attempt.

Suicidal behavior is characterized by the following features:

• Uncharacteristic fatigue, lethargy, indifference or sudden calm.
• Chronic sleep disorders, insomnia, loss of appetite, psychological problems.
• Anxiety, aggression, fear, violation of psychological balance.
• Disdain for your appearance.
• Conversations about suicide and death, increased interest in suicide cases, visiting sites with descriptions of suicides.
• Alcohol or drug use.
• Purchase of funds, who can commit suicide (firearms, medicines, etc.).
• Previous or recent attempts to commit suicide.
• Suicide in the family or close environment.
• An inherited predisposition to depression or mental illness.

When communicating with such a person, the following rules must be observed:

1. Be confident. This behavior will positively affect him and demonstrate the ability to help..
2. Show patience.
3. Do not engage in shocking or threatening actions and do not utter phrases in the form of an order.
4. Do not analyze the motives of another person's behavior in a conversation and do not express your assumptions. The phrase "You now feel this and that, because ... "will remain unsuccessful.
5. Do not argue or appeal to the mind of another person. The phrase "You cannot commit suicide, because ... "will not help.
6. Do everything possible to save a person. But you should not consider yourself responsible for what happens in case of failure..
7. Conversation with a suicidal person should be individual..
8. You can not invite to a conversation with a psychologist (or another specialist) through someone. You need to meet in person in a relaxed atmosphere, as if by accident, find a reason to talk (requests, etc.).
9. There should be no interference during the conversation, even a long conversation cannot be interrupted. Therefore, the presence of unauthorized persons is unacceptable..
10. It is better to schedule a conversation in your free time., not for work.
11. When talking with a suicidal person, show, that it is very important to you. You cannot write down anything during the conversation., looking at the clock or doing extraneous business.

Telephones for emergency psychological assistance

In Minsk

For adults:

8-017-290-44-44(around the clock),

8-017-290-43-70(around the clock).

For children and adolescents:

8-017-246-03-03(around the clock).