World Suicide Prevention Day: Know About Common Symptoms Of Depression, How You Can Help A Friend

World Suicide Prevention Day 2021: Is someone around you having negative thoughts, or feels uncomfortable when surrounded by people? You can now know what is going on in their mind and help them out.

World Suicide Prevention Day 2021: Identifying symptoms of suicidal tendencies within a person could be challenging, as it is difficult to understand the turmoil in someone's heart. Your friend may be hiding real pain behind their fake smile. Many people suffer from depression which may cause suicidal thoughts to develop in their minds.

A depressed person may show symptoms of suicidal tendencies when he starts talking about suicide and death frequently. People suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts often tend to lose appetite, which may cause massive weight loss and dehydration. A person suffering from depression is 20 times more likely to lose his life through suicide.

World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10 every year to spread awareness about suicidal tendencies, suicide, and how to address and prevent them. Suicide can be prevented if depression is identified at an early stage and necessary counselling and treatment are provided to the needful person. Depression is a very common form of mental illness, which occurs in people from all age groups and is triggered by psychological, environmental, social, and genetic factors.  

Causes and Symptoms of Depression:

Genetics play a critical role in depression. The symptoms may be evident in many members of a family. Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D deficiency have also been associated with depression. Diabetes, hypothyroidism, chronic diseases such as Parkinson's or HIV are known to cause depression. 

Feeling depressed, irritable, unable to create interest and concentration at work, feeling tired without reason, hypersomnia, insomnia, increased or decreased appetite, weight change, lack of sexual desire, disappointment, helplessness, thoughts of suicide or self-harm are all symptoms of depression.  

How to help a depressed person:

Having a conversation: Instead of distancing yourself from depressed people, you should talk to them to understand the symptoms of suicidal tendencies. Instead of talking to them directly about their symptoms, it is important to talk to them in a sensitive and non-judgmental manner. 

Be a good listener: While dealing with a depressed person, it is also important to be a good listener. It can be very reassuring to listen to them carefully. Contrary to common belief, talking about suicide does not increase risk and it can be really beneficial to discuss emotional situations.