What's suicide in your language?

[Donte]

Many people from various cultural groups do not talk about suicide. It is commonly believed that if we mention the word suicide we will give ideas to people who may be vulnerable and they may start considering taking their own lives. Many religious families and groups won't disclose when a member commits suicide out of shame, guilt, fear and embarrassment as many religions claims that taking one's life is sinful and the person who commits suicide will go to eternal damnation. In many cultures, priests and religious leaders refuse to bury people inside the cemetery walls if the deceased had taken their own life. Many grow up in a culture of stigma perpetuated by religious dogma. So how do we start this difficult conversation with people to help them with managing negative feelings, and initiate steps to making positive changes? Especially when no one community is the same and there is great diversity within each culture and their subcultures and groups within them.Before starting the conversation we would need to understand the risks factors and vulnerabilities to suicide, fear and stigma associated with mental health problems, varying traditions when discussing sensitive subjects and concerns around confidentiality.The migration process can be challenging for many as it involves considerable changes to physical, social, cultural and economic environments. If someone has escaped war, or being a victim of trauma or torture, their levels of stress may be higher and may greatly impact on the development of suicidal behavior. The process of change experienced when living in a new country has been linked to stress and emotional problems including anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation, alienation and low self-esteem. Additionally, experiencing racism and discrimination upon arrival to a new country may lead to further isolation and withdrawal which could exacerbate mental health issues. Many things can stop people from seeking help including language barriers, limited knowledge about available services and resources and how to navigate these, stigma, religious beliefs and concerns about confidentiality, especially in certain communities when everyone knows everybody. So what's suicide in your language? How do you start this difficult chat with someone? And where do you go for help? Would the same things that applied back in your country at the time of your migration be relevant here? Let's talk suicide, shall we?

[Donte]

Thank you demonblaster,

I am very new to this! I will have a look at the other sections too and familiarize myself with the various contents as appropriate. 🙂

[demonblaster]

yw Donte it's a big site 🙂 Amazing place. See ya around probs

[Quercus]

Hi Donte',

I think that this thread will be valuable in it's own right as well as complimentary to Demonblaster's thread "Suicide... Why not?".

Suicide or suicidal thoughts are hard enough to admit to and speak up for help with (and yes I've been there) but when there is the worry of offending family or expectations within your culture it becomes even harder.

I think this is a vital discussion to have and this is a safe place to begin to talk about it as we are all anonymous.

I'll share my experience if that's ok? My family is from and based in rural Australia... and we don't talk about suicide. Why? Small towns mean gossip. Chances are you know the GP. Or the GP knows your parents. Gossip is the enemy of getting help in rural Australia in my mind because of the fear that everyone will find out your private business. And also the fear that people may judge you and your family.

This attitude prevented me from seeking help for a long time. Because I grew up thinking asking for help was being lazy. I wasn't trying hard enough or keeping busy enough. Admitting I felt suicidal was being selfish because I had a responsibility to my family.

In hindsight I realise all these feelings aren't accurate. But this was the culture I was born into. It is very hard to challenge these ideas. But so worthwhile.

I would love to hear other's views about the attitude towards suicide in their culture.

Nat

[blondguy]

Hello Donte

Thankyou for being a part of the forums. My mum is Scandinavian and has a balanced outlook on life as you do.

My mum still has a very strong Finnish accent that people have difficulty understanding....except for us kids

Thankyou Hayfa and Sophie_M (Moderator) for suggesting the Suicidal Thoughts Header on this thread topic

I hope the link below may help on this sensitive thread topic

www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/suicidal-thoughts-and-self-harm

My Kind thoughts everyone

Paul

[Donte]

Hi Quercus,

Thank you for reminding us how more challenging it can be in rural settings and closed-knit communities. Very similar to being part of an ethnic minority or religious group where everyone knows everyone or at least someone else who know you. This is a major barrier to accessing support for many. In the event that the person doesn't speak English very often there is a fear that the interpreter would know the next client who may know you etc. Of course there are regulations and policies and procedures in regards to confidentiality but still this is a real fear for many people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Even if there is an ethno-specific service like a welfare agency or community organisation etc providing services there is still fear that many have that they may come face to face with someone they know while waiting at reception etc. And if in a rural setting where services are scare to non-existent and traveling distances can be vast the issues and risks are even higher. Luckily, the arrival of technology and the internet has made a positive difference as we can chat and receive information, peer support and referral if need be completely anonymously and from the comfort of our own home. Hope this thread will motivate people to take advantage of this platform to continue the conversation and seek support if they need to.

[Donte]

Thank you Paul,

great resource. 🙂

[blondguy]

Hi Donte', no worries at all.

I hope you have a great weekend and New Year too 🙂

My Kind thoughts......(Cool Avatar by the way!)

Paul

[Donte]

You too Paul!

Yeah, loved the Unicorn! The main thing indeed is that we believe in ourselves. We are our only real benchmark. 🙂

[Quercus]

Hi Donte' (and a wave to Paul and BlueSkye too),

Hope this thread will motivate people to take advantage of this platform to continue the conversation and seek support if they need to.

Me too Donte'. I hope it helps even one person to challenge their cultural view of speaking out about suicide. And asking for help.

I've been there. Frightened to say the word aloud. To actually express to anyone how badly I felt and ask for help. So I feel really strongly that this thread is important.

If having this discussion (about a person's culture or religion impacting on their willingness or ability to reach out for help) makes even one person challenge their thoughts then to me that is a win.

I think that is the joy of anonymity. Like you said Donte' here we can speak without fear of being judged. My psychiatrist says often I try things out online or in therapy to practice and build confidence for when I am ready to try offline. That is how I see these forums sometimes... People testing the waters to see whether others will judge or shame them if they ask for help. I love the freedom we have here.

Nat

[Donte]

Yes Quercus!

Every bit helps! And this is a safe, anonymous way to 'test the waters' and with every comment, conversation and response we build further skills and our confidence and resilience increases. Even perceived 'rejections' help us get stronger and make us look inside and develop responses and equip us to deal better next time we feel rejected. I'm very thankful to have this opportunity to share in here and exchange ideas with others. Also, being safe and respectful having our community guidelines in place and abiding by them gives us the confidence that we won't be judged or shamed or put down by anyone as we are all here to hold hands and walk together in our very similar paths... 🙂