ANPDepression
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 17:51
“How are you really doing? Do you ever think about death? I’m worried about you.” Dare to start the conversation if you have the feeling that someone is not feeling well, or if you suspect that someone is having suicidal thoughts.
That is the urgent message that Renske Gilissen, chief researcher at the 113 Suicide Prevention Foundation, wants to give on the day that the House of Representatives discusses the initiative law for the prevention of suicide. “There is still a taboo to talk about it, and that is important to break. People who suffer from psychological problems must get past the shame and at the same time, loved ones must dare to start the conversation.”
The number of people taking their own lives has been stable at around 1,800 per year since 2013. But if you look at the differences in age groups, you will definitely see developments. For example, among young adults, the number of suicides has almost increased since 2013 17 percent increased.
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The number of suicides divided by age category
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The total number of suicides in recent years
Gilissen: “We have great concerns about young adults. Not only because the number of suicides is increasing there, but also because we are seeing an increase in self-harm (self-harm, ed.). The number of young people who end up in the emergency room with self-inflicted injuries is increasing. , as well as the number of young people with suicidal thoughts.”
Former clinical psychology professor and psychotherapist Ad Kerkhof also sees this increase. “We see many more young people coming in with depressive and suicidal thoughts. For them, the future is uncertain and unsafe.”
According to Kerkhof, depressed young people are inclined to think in black and white, partly because they are insecure about their social security. “In the eyes of these young people, we are heading for a disastrous future. There are so many things in the news at the same time: the climate, housing, nitrogen, wars and conflicts.”
Are you thinking about suicide or worried about someone? Talking about suicide helps and can be done anonymously via chat www.113.nl or by telephone on 113 or 0800-0113.
What follows is that so-called obsessive thoughts develop in the minds of these young people. Kerkhof: “Those fear ideas turn into intrusions. In it they literally see their own suicide and think they have to comply. Sometimes these thoughts take up ten to twenty hours a day.”
And getting there yourself is virtually impossible. Yet there is hope on the horizon. “We recently discovered that we can treat these obsessive thoughts through EMDR therapy,” says psychotherapist Kerkhof with joy and pride. “I treat many people with obsessive thoughts and it goes very well. We can often help people who are stuck in them.”
Start the conversation and, if you are concerned, dare to ask specifically about it.
Lead researcher Renske Gilissen of 113 Suicide Prevention
On the other hand, experts also see the extremely long waiting lists in mental health care. Much to frustration. “It is a disaster,” says Kerkhof. “There are many people on the waiting list who are suicidal and who need treatment very quickly.” Kerkhof hopes that the proposed law will lead to municipalities investing their money in local psychiatrists and psychologists.
But what about until then? Talk about it, say both experts. People who don’t know how can call 113 follow an online training course. “The problem is that people with these thoughts do not talk about it because they are ashamed. They want to do it all themselves, but that is not possible. Talk about it,” Kerkhof emphasizes.
Gilissen from 113 agrees, but also warns about another side: social media. “Research among young people who suffer from psychological problems shows that they are more sensitive to attacking each other on social media or talking down each other.”
All in all, the researchers conclude that everyone can contribute to turning the tide. “Enter a conversation and, if you are concerned, dare to ask specifically about it. ‘Do you ever think about death? What images do you have of it? Are you ashamed of it?’ Then see what steps you can take,” Gilissen and Kerkhof emphasize.
The ‘Suicide Show’ was broadcast on radio station KINK yesterday afternoon for three hours, with the aim of making and keeping these kinds of feelings open to discussion:
‘Suicide show’ on radio station KINK must break taboo
2024-04-09 15:51:19
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