Psychology Students Association: Aim to deepen awareness for suicide prevention

(Patria) - On the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), the Association of Psychology Students "SINAPSA" aims to deepen awareness and encourage people to take concrete steps towards preventing this brutal act, especially during this period of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to many reports, current negative macroeconomic trends in Bosnia and Herzegovina are highlighted, such as the instability of the pension system, economic slowdown, and migration trends with an estimated 50,000 people leaving BiH annually, making the country very vulnerable to the current crisis caused by the pandemic.

"Given that we do not have statistics on suicides and homicides during the pandemic, we cannot determine the significance of economic collapse as a factor in suicidality or any other factor in the pandemic. However, we can say that for prevention, we must pay more attention to all potential factors so that even a significant annual number of suicides does not increase as a consequence of this global situation.

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, arranged in a pyramid, first we have physiological needs (food, drink, sleep, sex...), then the need for security (physical, material, family, employment, health protection...), the need for love and belonging (warm interpersonal relationships), the need for esteem (social status, self-esteem), and finally self-actualization," states Dženita Čizmo.

In the midst of the pandemic, some of man's primary existential needs from the previous Maslow's hierarchy of needs are shaken and very unstable, occurring in combination with each other, and along with that, there is present uncertainty about a swift stabilization and return to normal life.

"These factors, along with many environmental ones, affect a person's mental stability during the pandemic. The message that students want to send is: YOU ARE NOT ALONE! For this purpose, our Association "SINAPSA" has created a mini-manual on what suicide is, suicide prevention, how to recognize the first signs of suicidal thoughts in oneself and others, and whom to turn to for help. One of the most common myths associated with the topic of suicide is that such a conversation will influence the commission of suicide. However, in reality, it is different.

When a person is asked directly about their plans, suicidal thoughts, and emotions they are feeling, we provide a safe space for them to express them. We allow the person to share their pain and try to provide the support they need. By expressing concern, we show how important the person is to us.

Talk about suicide. Difficult moments in life are occurrences that are characteristic of all people, and this is actually an opportunity to get closer to each other, to be support and a pillar for loved ones, and certainly not the opposite. Quality conversations and relying on human help is actually what makes us social beings, humans," states Čizmo.