Psychiatric illnesses, loneliness and poor social support are among the most important risk factors for suicide, which has been on the agenda with recent incidents. Noting that the most risky period for suicide is adolescence and old age, experts emphasize that especially strong family relationships and social bonds have a protective effect on suicide.
Üsküdar University NP Feneryolu Medical Center Specialist Clinical Psychologist Selvinaz Çınar Parlak said that most of the suicide cases, approximately 50-60%, are accompanied by psychiatric disorders.
Beware of depression accompanying bipolar disorder
Noting that the most common psychiatric disorders are mood disorders, Selvinaz Çınar Parlak said: "Depression episodes, especially in depression and bipolar disorder, are the most common psychometric conditions. This is followed by psychoses, psychotic disorders and personality disorders. But we think that the accompaniment of depression, especially in bipolar disorder, is the most important risk factor."
Social support reduces suicide rate
Noting that there are various risk factors for suicide, Selvinaz Çınar Parlak said: "The presence of a psychiatric illness, loneliness, lack of communication with the community and family are among the important risk factors. Especially in societies where there is a lot of social support, suicide rates decrease. Studies also show that psychiatric illnesses, loneliness, unemployment, certain medical illnesses, poor living conditions, sudden life changes in life, society and family, turmoil, intense stress factors, job loss or financial losses are effective. These are important risk factors."
15-24 years old and over 65 years old are in the risk group
Drawing attention to the risky age groups for suicide, Parlak said, "In most societies, suicides are seen between the ages of 15-24 during adolescence. Apart from this, those over the age of 65 also constitute a risk factor. But in adulthood, between the ages of 25-65, there is generally a constant rate. In this sense, we can say that advanced age and adolescence are risks."
Stating that studies show that suicides in our country are below the world average, Selvinaz Çınar Parlak said, "There is an increase in suicide incidents in our country and in the world. That is why there are suicide prevention centers in Turkey. There are units on this subject in various university hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health. The Turkish Statistical Institute and the suicide prevention units of the Ministry of Health are conducting various research and regulations on this issue. There used to be a telephone hotline for suicide prevention, but it is not operational at the moment. However, there are some units and application centers of the Ministry of Health that prioritize suicide in emergencies."
Mass suicides are seen in small sects
Stating that mass suicides are called "altruistic suicides", Selvinaz Çınar Parlak said, "Altruistic suicides are suicides in the form of self-sacrifice for a purpose. This means that in a group behavior, they sacrifice their own bodies for an ideological, religious view or a purpose, thinking that the aftermath will be good or that it serves a certain purpose. In the past, mass suicides have been seen in groups that gather around a leader in small sects and communities and do whatever that leader says, robotized, their thought processes are blocked, so to speak, brainwashed."
There is a leader figure in domestic suicide
Selvinaz Çınar Parlak noted that sometimes, although it is very rare, a leading person acts as a leading figure in collective suicides within the family and said, "In interconnected families, there is also a person with a leading characteristic. This person controls the family and is more of a caring figure like a mother. These people have a narcissistic structure and raise children who are very attached to themselves. They behave in such a way that the whole family acts together, gathers around that person who is the leader, and is guided by that person. As a result of unhealthy and dependent relationships, suicide cases can be seen in closed family structures with social isolation, where siblings are not in contact with the environment. Such family structures are symbiotically dependent and closed to the outside world."
Our family dynamics and culture protect
Selvinaz Çınar Parlak noted that the society we live in is generally a society with strong communication, family and relative ties and said, "This is a protective factor in terms of suicide. Suicides are more common when people become isolated, when there are closed systems, when loneliness is felt within the group or when there are group structures that are too interdependent and cannot take initiative. Therefore, there are many protective factors in our family dynamics and culture, but with urbanization, isolation and individual loneliness increase, social support increases. Unemployment, economic problems, current stress factors create a significant pressure on young people. The higher number of suicides, especially in adolescence, may be due to this exam pressure. Economic problems and the deterioration of financial structures with city life lead to the loss of our own social protective factors. In this sense, young people and adolescents are at risk. Especially preventive studies should be taken into consideration by state institutions and health personnel."
