Every life matters: time for action: what each of us can do

Every life matters Time for action What each of us can do Every life matters: Time for action – What each of us can do ISBN: 978-92-9022-858-5 © World Health Organization 2021 Some rights reserved. This work is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO licence (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo). Under the terms of this licence, you may copy, redistribute and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided the work is appropriately cited, as indicated below. In any use of this work, there should be no suggestion that WHO endorses any specific organization, products or services. The use of the WHO logo is not permitted. If you adapt the work, then you must license your work under the same or equivalent Creative Commons licence. 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Printed in India 9 789290 228585 iii Contents iv Acknowledgement v Foreword 1 Time for action – What each of us can do 30 Let’s talk 32 Play your role in preventing suicide 35 Positive affirmations 47 Resource bank iv Acknowledgement This publication has been conceptualized by Dr Nazneen Anwar, Regional Adviser, Mental Health, Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Environmental Health, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (WHO-SEARO). Overall guidance has been provided by Dr Thamarangsi Thaksaphon, Director, Noncommunicable Diseases and Environmental Health, WHO-SEARO. The book presents through art, an understanding of suicide and its impact on families and communities, and what each of us can do to prevent it. We acknowledge and thank all the participating schools, institutes, and NGO’s from New Delhi, India including Guru Nanak Public School, Punjabi Bagh; the New Green Field Public School; G.D Salwan Public School; and The Vilas condominium, DLF Phase-2, for organizing art campaigns to sensitize the young people on suicide prevention and promotion of good mental health. We also want to thank Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan; Vasant Valley School; Shri Ram Global School; Guru Harkrishan Public School; Artography Studio and Vivekananda Sevakandra–O–Shishu Uddyan (VSSU), for contributing beautiful artwork for this publication. We thank Mr Darpan Mandal for the cover page artwork. We are also happy to include in this publication illustrations by Matthew Johnstone from the posters on Preventing Suicide (pages 32-34) https://www. who.int/health-topics/suicide/campaign-materials-handouts – this important resource was developed by colleagues from WHO headquarters to educate people on what they can do to help prevent suicide. We have also included illustrations from the VOYCE team, created by Nitin and Loveleen Chawla, some of which were also part of the resources created by WHO-SEARO for the World Health Day 2017 campaign on ‘Depression: Let’s Talk’ (illustrations on pages 30-31 and positive affirmations on pages 35-46). Our special thanks to the VOYCE team for their commitment in representing mental health issues through art, and more specifically for this book, we appreciate their support in project coordination, creative design, and production. We thank our colleagues Ms Mohita Dawar, Ms Anisha Gupta and Ms Vageesha Rao from the Regional Office. We thank the mental health focal points in the WHO Country Offices, for all their support. Our special thanks to Dr Yatan Pal Singh Balhara, from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). We extend our sincere thanks to the young artists from Bhutan, India and Indonesia for their beautiful and powerful artwork. vForeword Suicides are preventable, and it is time to take action. Every country today should have a national suicide prevention strategy. Early interventions, crisis response, and culturally relevant aftercare and recovery are vital to addressing this global public health problem. Across the South-East Asia Region, suicide must be talked about and discussed more openly so that more people feel confident in supporting others having suicidal behaviour or who are touched by suicide. Communities play a strategic role, and community action is critical to the reduction of deaths by suicide. The onus lies with each one of us, starting from our own selves, then our family and friends, colleagues, co-workers, peers, associates, teachers, employers, institutes, health workers, policy makers, and government. We must empower and engage and take action to raise awareness on how each one of us can prevent suicides. I hope this book contributes to this process, helping to save lives and create a happier, safer and healthier environment for all. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh Regional Director WHO South-East Asia Region vi 1 Time Time for ACTION What each of us can do 2Darpan Mandal, 32 Hear. Hope. Help. Heal. We have within us the power to heal. During crisis and severe emotional distress talk to yourself, hear your feelings and reach out for help. You are not alone. #LetsTalk 3Hitanshu Agarwal, 21 Tie-back the knot to life Be there for your loved ones in getting through their moment of crisis. Spend time, listen. Help them process their thoughts and feelings. 4Madhumita Paul, 13 Self talk Me to me: “Failure is your step to success, so stop all this.” #LetsTalk 5Darpan Mandal, 32 No blame Don’t feel guilty and judge yourself. Look around and engage with the world. You are not to blame. #LiveLife #LetsTalk 6Madhav Vaid, 12 Reach out Teenage years can be full of excitement, opportunities and new found freedoms, yet there can also be times full of worry about exams, peers and latest trends. Suicide is never an answer. There is always HELP. #LetsTalk 7Aditya Parmanik, 12 Change your outlook. You are a winner Perceive people and situations positively. Do not take everything personally. Know that you are loved and respected. #LiveLife 8Hitanshu Aggarwal, 21 Move towards light Talk yourself out of any negative thought. And know that you are not alone, Reach out to a hundred hands waiting to support. #SelfTalk #LetsTalk 9Rubkirat Vohra, 41 Open arms Drop your fears and be willing to share. Open yourself to the possibilities and to the world out there. #LetsTalk 10 Siffat Kohli, 7 Gratitude bank Practice gratitude every single day. It will make you feel alive, loved and purposeful. 11 Satyam Raj, 16 Make your choices Choose garlands not ropes. #LetsTalk 12 Family first Family is your core, your strength. And creativity and nature can strengthen you too. Bhavya Singhal, 7 Lavya Singhal, 12 Feelings It is extremely important to be in touch with your feelings. Noticing and naming difficult thoughts and feelings can help us unhook from them, lessen the pain and engage better in life. 13 Prakriti Saldiya, 15 Emotional bank account Every day make consicous and mindful positive deposits in your emotional bank account. Indulge in meditation, yoga, right food, dance, play, music and praying. #LiveLife. 14 Sophie Khurana, 13 Choose love Choose love over self-doubt, mistrust, anxiety, fear, low self-esteem, insecurity. 15 Aryaman Munish, 19 No more blue. Let the people around you know. 16 Soumya Sharma, 19 Reconnect Meditation and connecting with your inner energy can help you stay grounded when there is an emotional storm. 17 Manavi Yadav, 12 Action is the key Help and support is all around. If you are struggling, begin a conversation with someone you trust about how you are feeling. #LetsTalk 18 Siddharth Hait, 12 The Universal Health Coverage umbrella Awareness, commitment and action can save lives. 19 Simran Rajpal, 23 You matter Stay in touch with your loved ones. Be a reminder of how much they matter to you and others. 20 Adi Humza, 12 Equality. Not discrimination Discrimination against subgroups within the population can lead to stressful life events such as loss of freedom, rejection, stigmatization and violence that may evoke suicidal behaviour. But giving up on life is no solution. Reach out for help. 21 Aman Kumar Chaubey, 12 Listen Often people in distress are not looking for any particular advice, but merely to be listened to! Its always helpful to talk. Reach out to a friend or family. #LetsTalk 22 Yogita Mittal, 14 Little joys Do things you enjoy. Engage only with people, places and situations that make you feel good. #LetsTalk 23 Tina Samanta, 17 Professional help If you are having thoughts of self-harm, contact the helpline services. #LetsTalk 24 Aditi Chauhan, 12 Tomorrow needs you If you know someone who may be saddenned with life, or at risk of suicide, talk to them about it. Listen with empathy and offer your support. #LetsTalk 25 Ravi Jadhav, 28 Positive work environment Work that is interesting and fulfilling is good for mental health #LetsTalk 26 Inaira, 5 One step Every little step counts. In the larger picture of life, when all looks unapproachable and unfathomable, daunting and overwhelming, start by taking baby steps. Start. Now. 27 Rabab Kaur Mehndi, 6 All is well When it looks like all is falling apart and nothing is in control, dance to the rhythm of it all. Witness it like it is an act. Detach. You will find the flow. Help is always there, that’s all you have to know. 28 Nirvaan Singh, 6 Fingerprints. Make your mark by being there for someone. Present yourselves as gifts in the lives of those in distress, Show them you care because ‘Every Life Matters!’ 29 Nupur Goel, 31 Sustainable Development Goal 3 recognises the importance of promotion of mental health and well-being. 30 As an employer or a colleague or even if you are a friend, express empathy and concern, encourage them to talk, and listen without judgment. #LetsTalk If you notice changes in your friend’s behaviour such as restlessness, irritability, impulsivity, recklessness or aggression, these are the signs to look out for. #LetsTalk Encourage the person to seek help from a professional, such as a doctor, mental health professional, counsellor or social worker. Offer to accompany them to an appointment. #LetsTalk As a friend, focus on their well-being. Provide constant supervision and remain calm. #LetsTalk Let’s talk 31 Foster a work environment where one feels comfortable speaking about their problems that have an impact on their ability to do their job effectively. #LetsTalk Motherhood can be overwhelming. Seek support of a professional or a doctor. #LetsTalk Talk to someone you trust if you are having thoughts about suicide. #LetsTalk Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now, there are many people who want to support you during this difficult time. #LetsTalk 32 Play your role: employers, managers and employees You as a responsible employer should take measures to promote the good mental health of your employees and to have a plan for supporting employees and colleagues with mental health conditions or who may be at risk of suicide. #LetsTalk Play your role: journalists and others writing about suicide You can sensitize people about suicide prevention by responsible reporting and also offer hope to people at risk, reduce stigma and inspire an open and positive dialogue. #LetsTalk PREVENTING SUICIDE AT WORK: information for employers, managers and employees Work that is interesting and fulfilling is good for mental health, but a negative working environment or work-related stressors can lead to physical and mental health problems. It is important for employers and others in positions of responsibility in the workplace to put in place measures to promote the good mental health of their employees, and to have a plan for supporting employees and colleagues with mental health conditions or who may be at risk of suicide. PREVENTING SUICIDE: information for journalists and others writing about suicide Media reports have the potential to either strengthen or damage suicide prevention efforts. Research shows that while media reports about suicide can increase suicide risk, because of imitative (copycat) suicides, responsible reporting about suicide can help educate the public about suicide and its prevention, offer hope to people at risk, reduce stigma and inspire an open and positive dialogue. Play your role in preventing suicide 33 Play your role: teacher and other people working in schools For many young people, the teenage years are a time of exploring new opportunities and freedoms, but they can also be a time of anxiety about academic performance, relationships and the future. You can create a safe place for your children and listen to them without any judgement. #LetsTalk Play your role: police, firefighters and other emergency responders Connecting people to the necessary mental health or medical care is very important. #LetsTalk PREVENTING SUICIDE: information for teachers and other people working in schools Suicid is one of th leading causes of death among 15-19 year-olds. Half of all mental health conditions in adulthood start by 14 years of age. For many young people, the teenage years are a time of exploring new opportunities and freedoms, but they can also be a time of anxiety about academic performance, relationships and the future. Occasional emotional distress is normal in adolescence, but for some young people, if the distress becomes long-lasting or overwhelming, it can lead to difficulty in everyday functioning and, in the most tragic cases, suicide. PREVENTING SUICIDE: information for police, firefighters and other emergency responders Police, firefighters, and other emergency responders are often the first on the scene of a mental health crisis or suicide attempt. They have a critical role in preventing suicide and connecting people to the necessary mental health or medical care that may be required. 34 Play your role: health workers As a health worker, it is important to recognize, assess and support people who are at risk of suicide. #LetsTalk Play your role: people working in jails and prisons People who are serving time in prison or who are detained in jail have higher rates of suicide than the general population. It is therefore important that effective suicide prevention strategies are implemented in correctional facilities. #LetsTalk PREVENTING SUICIDE: information for health workers Research has shown that many people who die by suicide have seen a health worker in the previous month. Therefore, all health workers have an important role to play in recognizing, assessing and supporting people who are at risk of suicide. PREVENTING SUICIDE: information for people working in jails and prisons People who are serving time in prison or who are detained in jail have higher rates of suicide than the general population. It is therefore important that effective suicide prevention strategies are implemented in correctional facilities. 35 Positive affirmations 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 Resource bank Time for action – What each of us can do 1. Campaign handouts: What emergency workers, health workers, teachers, prison officers, media professionals and employers can do to help prevent suicide – https://www.who.int/health-topics/suicide/campaign- materials-handouts 2. Suicide Prevention: Toolkit for engaging communities – https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/suicide- prevention-toolkit-for-engaging-communities 3. E- Learning course on Engaging communities on preventing suicide – https://accesswho.campusvirtualsp.org/ engaging-communities-preventing-suicide 4. A resource on responsible reporting by the media to prevent suicide by WHO and IASP – https://apps.who. int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43954/9789241597074_eng.pdf?sequence=1 5. Preventing suicide: a community engagement toolkit Pilot version 1.0 – https://www.who.int/mental_health/ suicide-prevention/community_engagement_toolkit_pilot/en/ 6. Preventing Suicide: a resource for general physicians – https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/ handle/10665/67165/WHO_MNH_MBD_00.1.pdf?sequence=1 7. Preventing suicide: a resource for media professionals, update 2017 – https://www.who.int/mental_health/ suicide-prevention/resource_booklet_2017/en/ 8. Preventing Suicide: a resource for teachers and other school staff – https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/ handle/10665/66801/WHO_MNH_MBD_00.3.pdf?sequence=1 9. Preventing Suicide: a resource for primary health care workers – http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/ handle/10665/67603/WHO_MNH_MBD_00.4.pdf?sequence=1 10. Preventing Suicide in Jails and Prisons (update 2007) – https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/ handle/10665/43678/9789241595506_eng.pdf?sequence=1 11. Preventing Suicide: How to Start a Survivors’ Group (update 2008) – https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/ handle/10665/44801/9789241597067_eng.pdf?sequence=1 12. Preventing Suicide: a resource for counsellors – https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/ handle/10665/43487/9241594314_eng.pdf?sequence=1 13. Preventing Suicide: a resource at work – https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/ handle/10665/43502/9241594381_eng.pdf?sequence=1 14. Preventing Suicide: a resource for police, firefighters and other first line responders – https://apps.who.int/iris/ bitstream/handle/10665/44175/9789241598439_eng.pdf?sequence=1 15. Preventing Suicide: a resource for suicide case registration – https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/ handle/10665/44757/9789241502665_eng.pdf?sequence=1 16. Preventing Suicide: a resource for non-fatal suicidal behaviour case registration – https://apps.who.int/iris/ bitstream/handle/10665/112852/9789241506717_eng.pdf?sequence=1 17. Preventing suicide: a resource for establishing a crisis line – https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/ handle/10665/311295/WHO-MSD-MER-18.4-eng.pdf?ua=1 18. Preventing suicide: a resource for pesticide registrars and regulators – https://www.who.int/publications/i/ item/preventing-suicide-a-resource-for-pesticide-registrars-and-regulators 48 19. Preventing suicide: a resource for filmmakers and others working on stage and screen – https://www.who. int/publications/i/item/preventing-suicide-a-resource-for-filmmakers-and-others-working-on-stage-and-screen 20. Preventing suicide: A resource for filmmakers and others working on stage and screen – https://apps.who.int/ iris/rest/bitstreams/1254417/retrieve 21. Preventing suicide at work: information for employers, managers and employees – https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=C0iQLEwABpc&feature=emb_logo; https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/mental-health/ suicide-prevention-employers.pdf 22. Preventing suicide: information for teachers – https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_ continue=1&v=Le7n6i0dpTI&feature=emb_logo; https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/mental-health/ suicide-prevention-teachers.pdf 23. Preventing suicide: information for police, firefighters and other emergency responders – https://www. youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=ECarCNxgM-4&feature=emb_logo; https://www.who.int/docs/ default-source/mental-health/suicide-prevention-first-responders.pdf 24. Preventing suicide: information for health workers – https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_ continue=21&v=Fy7n8SfwS_A&feature=emb_logo; https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/mental-health/ suicide-prevention-health-workers.pdf 25. #308conversations: A grassroots campaign spearheaded by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) in May 2014, inviting each of Canada’s 308 Members of Parliament (MPs) and other community leaders to lead a conversation in their community about suicide prevention – https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/ English/308conversations 26. World Mental Health Day 2019: 40 seconds of action for suicide prevention – https://www.who.int/ bangladesh/news/detail/10-10-2019-world-mental-health-day-2019-40-seconds-of-action-for-suicide-prevention 27. World Mental Health Day – 2019 – Focus on suicide prevention – https://www.who.int/news-room/events/ detail/2019/10/10/default-calendar/world-mental-health-day-2019-focus-on-suicide-prevention 28. Take 40 seconds of action, this is how – https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/mental-health/suicide/ flyer-40seconds-web.pdf?sfvrsn=5ba643c_2 29. Message from WHO Director-General for #40seconds suicide prevention campaign – https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=P6D5VgyI_Ms&feature=emb_logo 30. Live life: Preventing Suicide – https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/mental-health/suicide/live-life- brochure.pdf?sfvrsn=6ea28a12_2 31. Handouts on depression – https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2017/handouts-depression/en/