Mental health requires a different perspective.Photo: Illustrative
In Paraguay, 530 adults and 81 children are expected to die by suicide by 2027. Given these numbers, mental illness needs to be treated and emergency services sought in the event of a suicidal crisis.
Chairman of Psychiatry and Head of Services, Professor Julio Torales, PhD, explained that this week the specialized mental health unit of the Faculty of Medicine, with the support of the institutional authorities, will work on this preventive campaign with the aim of raising awareness of the epidemiological situation and importance in the country. Time to ask for help. Likewise, they plan to hold a center event on Friday, September 6 at 8:30 a.m. to honor those who are no longer here and to think about those who are going through hardship.
“Obviously, suicide prevention cannot be shortened to one week, but since September is awareness month, we want to raise its profile. So this Friday we will be symbolically hanging ribbons, especially for those who might lose their lives if we don’t act people. We want to raise awareness of the epidemiological situation in the country, as we know that over the past 18 years, more than 5,000 adults and almost 1,000 children and adolescents have lost their lives to suicide. “We are concerned about the situation. Worrying about the nature of the shock,” said the professional.
Suicide is a behavioral manifestation of mental illness and is often associated with depression, but all mental illnesses can be complicated by suicide, he said. The professional stressed that while mental illness exists, it can be treated by a mental health professional, whether a psychiatrist or a psychologist. It is important to note that Hospital de Clínicas work together to treat such diseases in a better and more effective way.
“So we also need to remember that suicide is preventable and 90% of people who die by suicide have an undiagnosed or poorly addressed mental disorder. So let’s hold on to the idea that there may be a light at the end of the tunnel , we need to use everything science has to offer to continue to improve prevention and intervention strategies, increase public understanding of this problem and its impact on Paraguay… and reduce stigma to encourage people to seek help promptly.”
It is important to remember that every suicidal crisis is a psychiatric emergency. Therefore, whether adult or pediatric, you must go to the emergency room to receive appropriate care.