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Suicide

Anna-Maria Al Chidiac

Department of English, NDU

ENL 213, D

Ms. Diana Samrani

December 13.2023
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Outline

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Claim: Early intervention in mental health issues can save lives by reducing the risk of suicide in individuals.

I. Stigma reduction surrounding suicide

A. Encouraging Help-Seeking Behavior

B. Promoting Open Dialogue

II. Community and Social Support

A. Gratitude in Supportive Communities

B. Social Ties and Suicide Prevention

III. Therapy Role in Suicide

A. Effectiveness of Psychotherapy in Suicide Prevention

B. Long-term Benefits of Therapeutic Relationships

IV. Rebuttal and Refutation

A. Overmedicalization Concerns

B. Dispelling Resource Allocation concerns

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Suicide

My friend Nancy works part time at McDonald’s. She is a radio and television student at NDU. Nancy must

attend her classes every day from 8 am to 12:30 pm. The pressure to excel academically, coupled with the

demands of her job, led to sleepless nights and constant worry. Balancing work shifts after classes left her with

minimal time for self-care or relaxation. As stress and anxiety counted, Nancy struggled to keep up with

assignments and found herself emotionally drained. The need for early intervention became evident, offering her

the support needed to navigate the challenges of work and university life. Whether or not early intervention in

mental health issues can save lives by reducing the risk of suicide in individuals. It’s like catching small

problems before they become big. Early intervention can make aa big difference by helping to prevent serious

problem, like the risk of suicide and offering support when it’s needed. This support provides individuals with

the right tools and support to manage their feelings better. This not only helps them grow personally but also

makes our community healthier and safer.

Early intervention in mental health issues can save lives by reducing the risk of suicide in individuals

because of reducing stigma around suicide. Making it okay to talk about suicide is about the words you use and

how you say them. One big way it works is by encouraging people to ask for help. Research shows that when

society is more understanding, people are more likely to feel okay about asking for professional help. Things

like public awareness and community talks create a place where mental health challenges are talked about

openly. For example, the research indicates that the use of the term “commit” in academic publications has

decreased by approximately 20./. since the year 2000 but “it’s not translated, really, to the general population”

“kilch said”. Some words, like successful, failed, or completed, can cause issues, experts say. The first two,

successful and failed, are a big concern. "Successful" sounds like a good thing, but not when talking about

someone taking their own life. Also, what might seem like a success to someone thinking about suicide could be
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very different from what a professional think. And it's not just about helping individuals. Early help also helps

make society better. By dealing with mental health issues early, we make a society that cares more and

understands mental health better. It can even affect rules and how people think about mental health. When we

talk about suicide, it's important to pick our words carefully. The words we use can affect how people feel.

Some words, like "completed" or "successful," might not give the right idea. We should use kind and thoughtful

words, avoiding ones that might make things worse or cause misunderstandings. Using words that show we care

can make it easier for people to talk about their struggles and ask for help (Rogers, 2023). Encouraging open

dialogue about mental health is a powerful tool in reducing the stigma around suicide. A strong reason for this is

how much public awareness campaigns can make a difference. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the

United States was working toward transitioning its phone number to "988" to make it easier for people to access

mental health support. The role of 988 in promoting open dialogue is significant (Mcphillips, 2023). This

contributes to creating a more supportive environment where individuals are encouraged to speak openly about

their struggles, thus promoting a culture of understanding and empathy. By fostering open dialogue, we create a

culture that supports individuals in sharing their experiences and seeking help without fear of judgment,

ultimately saving lives through timely intervention.

Early intervention in mental health issues can save lives by reducing the risk of suicide in individuals

because of community and social support. Gratitude helps prevent suicide in two important ways: first, by

making people feel more positive and improving their social interactions, and second by giving them a sense of

meaning, belonging, hope, appreciation, and positivity. Writing down daily thankful thoughts is connected to

less depression, anxiety, and more optimism. Gratitude doesn’t solve everything instantly, but research shows it

has many mental health benefits. When we train our minds to notice and appreciate what’s around us, it

improves mindfulness and being positive. Doing this regularly makes us more satisfied and supports mental

health, especially when we’re feeling low. Since everything feels down sometimes, practicing gratitude has a

big potential to boost mental health, even helping protect against suicide (Khorrami, 2021). Community-based
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interventions and awareness campaigns also emphasize the importance of fostering strong social ties as part of

suicide prevention strategies. Being together makes our brains stronger, and I think the strength of community

can fix our world and stop suicide, which we really need. Studies say in the U.S., suicide is a big cause of death

for people aged 10 to 34. Even though it's a major cause, we can prevent it, especially when we work together

as a community. In today's world, where there aren't always enough professionals to help, preventing suicide

becomes something all of us can do. When you have the right tools, support, and people around, life can truly

become worth living, and you can find hope. Haley DeGreve, a Communications Specialist and a 2020 graduate

of Augustana College, was motivated during her education to initiate a non-profit focused on mental health

awareness and suicide prevention. Called The Gray Matters Collective, this initiative evolved into a movement

offering hope, support, and healing to thousands. Recognized nationally through the University of Michigan

Depression Center, Haley has been actively involved in mental health advocacy since 2018. She has spoken at

various local schools, events, and workplaces, aiming to combat mental health stigma and provide education on

crisis intervention (Degreve, 2022).

Therapy is like having a friend who cares a lot when you're feeling sad or thinking about hurting yourself.

The friend, called a therapist, talks with you to understand how you're feeling. They help you find ways to feel

better. Therapists are good listeners and are there to support you, making life seem better and safer. If someone

is having a hard time, going to therapy can be a helpful way to get through it and make thoughts of hurting

themselves less likely. Having conversations in therapy gives people a chance to think about their feelings.

According to a study in the USA, talking therapy sessions can lower the risk of suicide, especially in groups

more likely to be at risk. Researchers from John University followed over 5000 Danish people who had

attempted suicide and got psychological counseling. They found that the risk of suicide decreased by 26% after

five years, compared to those who didn't have therapy sessions (Dianomi, 2014). Establishing long-term

therapeutic relationships can bring benefits to individuals. Having a long-term relationship brings a strong sense

of comfort and companionship. A study in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that couples together for a
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longer time reported higher satisfaction and intimacy. This means that the longer you're with someone, the

stronger your connection can be. Being with someone for a while lets you reach a deep level of closeness and

understanding. You learn each other's habits and preferences, and you feel safe together. This comfort is really

comforting during tough times. Having someone who believes in you and gives you support is crucial in a long-

term relationship. It's like having a teammate in tough times. Being in a long-term relationship can also help you

grow and learn more about yourself. When you're with someone who loves you no matter what, you feel safe to

discover new things about who you are and try new stuff. Your partner can encourage you to be your best, and

you can do the same for them. Together, you can learn and improve in ways you might not have thought

possible by yourself. Even though long-term relationships can be challenging, the rewards, like feeling

supported and growing personally, are worth it. This kind of support can be important in preventing difficult

things like suicide (Drevitch, 2023).

Nevertheless, Overmedicalization, a growing concern in healthcare, refers to the tendency to rely too

heavily on medical interventions, such as medications or procedures, often unnecessarily. This phenomenon

arises from various factors, including increased access to healthcare services, pharmaceutical marketing, and

societal expectations. When individuals are over diagnosed or overmedicated, it can lead to potential risks and

side effects without providing substantial benefits. For instance, prescribing antibiotics for mild infections or

recommending complex medical procedures for conditions that might resolve on their own are examples of

overmedicalization. This trend not only poses health risks but also contributes to rising healthcare costs. It's

essential to promote a more balanced and thoughtful approach to healthcare, emphasizing preventive measures,

lifestyle changes, and judicious use of medical interventions. Healthcare providers and patients alike play a role

in fostering a healthcare system that prioritizes the well-being of individuals without subjecting them to

unnecessary medical treatments. Striking this balance ensures that medical interventions are reserved for

situations where they are genuinely beneficial, optimizing health outcomes and mitigating the potential

downsides of overmedicalization (Euba, 2021).

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Challenging worries about using too many resources, it's important to know that helping people early with their

mental health can truly save lives. Imagine it like catching a small problem before it becomes big – that's what

early intervention does for mental health. Some folks worry that putting lots of resources into this might be too

expensive. But helping early can be like stopping a small fire before it spreads and becomes much harder to

control. It's not just the right thing to do for people; it's also smart for our wallets. When we give support early,

we prevent bigger problems later, and that means we don't have to spend as much money fixing those bigger

problems. Think of it this way: if we fix a leaky roof when it's just a tiny leak, it's way less costly than waiting

until the whole roof needs replacing. In the same way, using resources for early mental health help is like fixing

small leaks before they turn into big, expensive issues. So, it's not just about being kind; it's about being clever

with our resources and making sure everyone has a better chance at a good, healthy life (Euba, 2021).

Supporting people's mental health early on is important it can save lives by reducing the risk of suicide.

Putting resources into this early help isn't just the right thing to do; it's also a smart move for our communities

and budgets. It's like fixing a small issue before it turns into a big problem. By focusing on mental health early,

we can stop a lot of pain and challenges down the road. So, to sum it up, let's advocate for more attention and

resources for early mental health support. It's a crucial step toward creating a world that's safer and healthier for

everyone.
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References

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Drevitch, G. (2023, April 25). 4 lifelong benefits of long-term relationships. Retrieved from

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relationships

Degreve, H. (2022, April 12). Mental health, suicide, and the power of community. Retrieve from

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Khorrami, N. (2021). Can gratitude protect against suicide? Psychology Today. Retrieved from

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Market view. (2014, November 14). Suicide risk reduced after talk therapy, study suggests. BBC Health.

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30150746

McPhillips, D. (2023). Millions have used the 988 mental health crisis line, but most say they wouldn’t turn to it

again. CNN Health. Retrieved from

https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/31/health/988-potential-mental-health-study

Rogers, K. (2023). When talking about suicide, avoid using these words. CNN Health. Retrieved from

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