Suicide

Suicide

On Monday, 5 May 2013 at about 07:00, the body of a male was found by a passer-by, hanging from a tree with a white rope around his neck in Marikana. No note was left and no foul play is suspected.  The person was identified as 26-year-old Lungani Mabutyana and police are investigating an Inquest.

Since no evidence of foul play or attack, it can be assumed that this was suicide.  It is important to know whether someone is planning to attempt suicide.  The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 1 million people die each year from suicide.  Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable.  Blinded by feelings of self-loathing, hopelessness, and isolation, a suicidal person can’t see any way of finding relief except through death.  But despite their desire for the pain to stop, most suicidal people are deeply conflicted about ending their own lives.  They wish there was an alternative to committing suicide, but they just can’t see one.

A popular study shows that more than 70% of people who commit suicide tell someone about their plans or give some other type of warning signs.  It is important to really pay attention to what people say.  Mostly we tend to be so busy with our own affairs that we do not really care or look at the people around us.  Be attentive to people who say things like: Life isn’t worth living, My family (or friends or girlfriend/boyfriend) would be better off without me, Next time I’ll take enough pills to do the job right, Take my prized collection or valuables — I don’t need this stuff anymore, Don’t worry, I won’t be around to deal with that.  Should you suspect that a person might be planning suicide, seek professional help and advice.