Every minute, there is an suicide attempt, with an estimated total of 1 million attempts yearly. The “Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Walks”, held by AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) is a walk to honor loved ones who have committed suicide, a walk to raise awareness and funds to educate and prevent suicide, but mostly, it is a walk to save lives. The October 26th, 2014 Walk had tremendous support with public speakers to share and encourage support systems, and to cherish and love loved ones. Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing and many other schools joined to show recognition of the Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk as a chance to raise awareness and demonstrate the impact any form of suicide has.
As future professional nurses, there are several ways to understanding and preventing suicide: watch for suicidal ideation (look for changes in speech, behavior, and mood), know suicide risk factors (health conditions, environmental factors, and past history), and use therapeutic communication. How would we speak about suicide? The language we use should be based on the lead of the person we are speaking to; most people prefer to say, “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide,” because the first way focuses on the person’s death instead of the act itself. Next, we must understand suicide. Suicide, for most people, is not the first solution they jump to in dealing with extreme stressors. Suicide results from extreme pain, difficulty, and desperation, such that the person views suicide as the only way to relieve them of their circumstances. As student nurses, to educate, we must be educated.
References: American Foundation of Suicide Prevention: afsp.org
Written by: Dong Say Tan
Photo Credits: Kristine Sy, Cindy Harryram, Monique Brady, and Dong Say Tan
HBSON Volunteers: Kristine Sy, Cindy Harryram, Alice Yau, Dong Say Tan, Liana Aquino, Monique Brady, Michelle Lee Ooi, and Marian Dingco.
As future professional nurses, there are several ways to understanding and preventing suicide: watch for suicidal ideation (look for changes in speech, behavior, and mood), know suicide risk factors (health conditions, environmental factors, and past history), and use therapeutic communication. How would we speak about suicide? The language we use should be based on the lead of the person we are speaking to; most people prefer to say, “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide,” because the first way focuses on the person’s death instead of the act itself. Next, we must understand suicide. Suicide, for most people, is not the first solution they jump to in dealing with extreme stressors. Suicide results from extreme pain, difficulty, and desperation, such that the person views suicide as the only way to relieve them of their circumstances. As student nurses, to educate, we must be educated.
References: American Foundation of Suicide Prevention: afsp.org
Written by: Dong Say Tan
Photo Credits: Kristine Sy, Cindy Harryram, Monique Brady, and Dong Say Tan
HBSON Volunteers: Kristine Sy, Cindy Harryram, Alice Yau, Dong Say Tan, Liana Aquino, Monique Brady, Michelle Lee Ooi, and Marian Dingco.