attempted suicide

Emergency services responded to several instances of attempted suicide this past week. Image: Pixabay

Several incidents of attempted SUICIDE in KwaZulu-Natal

Emergency services responded to several incidents of attempted suicide this week; in many cases, family ignored suicide threats

attempted suicide

Emergency services responded to several instances of attempted suicide this past week. Image: Pixabay

Emergency services were called out to three scenes of attempted suicide in the past 24 hours in KwaZulu-Natal.

ALSO READ: 10-year-old attempts suicide after alleged assault by father

Three incidents of attempted suicide in 24 hours

In the last 24 hours, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) has been called to three separate scenes of attempted suicide.

All three incidents occurred in Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal.

The victims attempted suicide by hanging and overdosing on medication.

ALSO READ: Man seriously injured after trying to commit suicide on N1 bridge

Seven incidents of attempted suicide along the North Coast in the past week 

Reaction officers and paramedics responded to seven attempted suicides in different towns along the North Coast in the past week.

In several cases, the victims’ families ignored suicide threats.

If you become aware of anyone displaying suicidal tendencies, family/friends should seek immediate help.

ALSO READ: Hillcrest cop accused of murdering his two lovers commits suicide

Signs of depression to look out for

A few things can sometimes indicate that a person is suicidal.

Here are warning signs from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group that a person requires immediate professional assistance.

  • Loss of identity – This is possibly the first warning sign of suicidal ideation. At this point, a person loses the identity with which they identify and, as a result, falls into a state of purposelessness.
  • Rehearsals – People typically plan their own suicide. The majority of this is done in their heads, but there are often external indicators. Self-harming behavior such as cutting, or overmedicating is a precursor to the ultimate act of harm. This is why asking, “Do you have a plan?” is so important when someone threatens to commit suicide.
  • Organising affairs – When a person contemplates their own death, they frequently engage in rituals to tie up loose ends. This could include updating a will, spending excessive amounts of money, visiting family members who are rarely seen, and filming instructions to leave behind.
  • Accessible method – All of the planning, organizing, and good-byes foreshadow the actual event. The method of choice is usually predetermined early on, but without accessibility it is more difficult to carry out. A vital follow-up question to, “Do you have a plan,” is “Do you have access to it.” Many suicide plans have been foiled by taking away their preferred method, so eliminating access is still a way to delay or completely stop the suicide.
  • Surge of dis-courage – Suicide is not courageous, it is dis-courageous. Those seriously considering suicide area usually found at a low point of doing whatever it takes to escape their situation. This fearful attitude can be countered with reminders to be courageous from loved ones.

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