Life is very precious as you live only once, but there are many people who end it to escape from the difficulties of life. Suicide rate is steadily climbing but these graphs fail to convey the tragedy of suicide in human terms. People who commit suicide are often doing it when they are alone and in a state of severe psychological distress. There is a need to recognize and help other people in crisis, and also find how to seek help or make better choices ourselves.

WHY ARE PEOPLE INCLINED TOWARDS SUICIDE?
Suicides are the result of a process that happens over many weeks, months or even years. The process involves severe stress and a serious personal crisis. The risk increases as the crisis, or the individual’s perception of it, worsens. Feelings of control and self-esteem deteriorate, leading to self-alienation and isolation which increases distress. Suicidal persons also experience chemical imbalances which are related to mood.

WHO COMMITS OR WHO IS AT RISK?
Around half of those who complete suicide do so either during a depressive episode or in the recovery phase. An attempt is often made at the point when a person under treatment appears to be emerging from the deepest phase of the depressive attack. Those suffering from other types of mental illness, in particular schizophrenia, but also post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks or severe anxiety, have significantly higher suicide rates than average, too.

Other factors that can increase your risk for suicide include:
1.  Having a family history of suicide.
2. Having a substance abuse problem, in particular alcoholism.
3. Lacking social support.

FACTORS INFLUENCING SUICIDE
Everybody has a breaking point. But people differ greatly in their vulnerability. Some people are more, or less, vulnerable to particular stressful events and some may find certain events stressful which others would see as a positive experience. Significant changes in
1. Relationships.
2. Well-being of self or family member.
3. Job, school, college, residence.
4. Financial situation.
Significant losses of a loved one, loss of a valued relationship, loss of self-esteem, loss of employment, abuse of physical/ emotional/psychological/sexual are also among the causes. Social neglect is other reason.

WARNING SIGNS
Not all suicide attempts are preceded by a warning. Most suicidal people are intent on stopping their emotional pain, not on dying. The warning signs usually occur in clusters, so often several of them will be apparent. The only way to know for sure is to ask them. In other cases, a suicidal person' may not want to be rescued, and may avoid giving warning signs. Warning signs may include
1. Depression.
2. Loss of interest in usual activities.
3. Withdrawing from friends and family.
4. Signs of sadness, hopelessness, irritability.
5. Changes in appetite, weight, level of activity or sleep patterns. ,
6. Low levels of energy.
7. Making negative comments about self.
8. Talking, writing or drawing about death or suicide.
It is important to recognize the behavior changes that may indicate an underlying problem. After all it’s someone’s or yours life we are talking about.