To begin, I used to believe that a person who has their act together is less likely to commit suicide. People may believe that someone appears to have it all and that they are doing well. How could they even think about committing suicide? Moreover, I believe that suicide is cowardly and that only weak people attempt suicide. Finally, I have always believed that suicide is a selfish act and a decision.
After reading the textbook “Abnormal Psychology” and some other sources, I realized that my beliefs are based on myth rather than facts and reality. Even individuals who have their act together can engage in suicidal behavior. It is difficult to determine what is going on inside a person. I have learned that not everything you hear or see about someone reflects their true feelings. One may appear happy, but deep down, they are depressed.
Additionally, I have realized that suicide is not an act of cowardice. Rather it takes an act of great courage and bravery to decide to end one’s own life. Furthermore, suicidal people do not see suicide as a choice but as the only way to end their pain and suffering. Those who commit suicide always have the best interest of their loved ones. They believe that their family and friends will be better off without them.
I have learned that people ought to be sensitive and not judge individuals who are suicidal, as doing so will only make it more difficult for such people to open up and get the help they need. Most suicidal people do not seek professional help because they believe they do not require assistance or prefer to deal with the problem independently (Hooley et al., 2020, p. 288). Having adequate parental support and close friends protects against suicide (Yasir Arafat & Marthoenis, 2022). The public should indeed be educated on suicide signs so that concerned family and friends recognize what to look for and what to do in the event of an increased risk (Hooley et al., 2020, p. 286). One must become educated on the facts and realities of suicide.
References
Hooley, J. M., Butcher, J. N., Mineka, S., & Nock, M. K. (2020). Abnormal psychology (18th ed.). Pearson.
Yasir Arafat, S. M., & Marthoenis, M. (2022). Rate and associated factors of suicidal behavior among adolescents in Bangladesh and Indonesia: Global school‐based student health survey data analysis. PubMed Central (PMC). Web.