Working with suicide

BY: Laura Pinzón | Neighbors’ Consejo|

Suicide events can undoubtedly affect many areas of our life. It’s enough to see how within our own families this dreadful phenomenon manifests itself. But have we ever wondered how this affects us within our work environment?

There are statistics that break down suicides by profession. Since 2017 in the United States, at the top of the list are doctors, followed by police officers, veterinarians, financial employees, real estate agents, electricians, lawyers, farmers and finally by pharmacists[1] . This occurs due to high level of stress, work pressure, dissatisfaction, financial problems, emotional clashes with peers, workplace harassment, excessive overtime, and non-optimal work spaces among other factors, that not only directly intervene in productivity but threaten mental health, triggering factors that can lead to the decision to commit suicide.

Furthermore, the permeability of social networks has directly affected this situation; evidenced by data showing that between 1999 and 2016, the suicide rate in the United States increased by a worrying 30%, men leading the figures at 3 times the numbers for women.

It is also worth noting that the professions with the lowest suicide rates, at 5.3% of totals, are those dedicated to education, such as teachers or people who work in a library. The data on suicide in the United States shows that, of the 22 occupations in 22 states, the suicide rate in 2015 for example, was 16.9 deaths per 100,000 people, which represents an increase of 10% compared to 2012[2] .

We urge all who are having suicidal thoughts due to their work or personal life, to talk with a professional in the mental health field to help guide them and avoid making the terrible and irreversible decision to end their lives. If you have high levels of stress, listening to music can help you relax, or even going for a walk. Work pressure is resolved by reaching agreements. Disagreement is resolved with goal setting. Financial problems with support centers and organization of your budget. Emotional conflicts with colleagues, with open dialogue. Workplace harassment by denouncing. Overtime, optimistically assuming responsibility and looking for rest spaces, and lack of optimal work space, by building tranquility in the environment. There are solutions for everything – and suicide is certainly not one of them[3].


References

[1] https://choicespsychotherapy.net/jobs-with-highest-suicide-rates/

[2] https://www.registerednursing.org/articles/suicide-rates-profession/

[3] https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-support-mental-health-work

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