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Every year close to 800,000 people take their own life and there are many more who attempt it. Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind.
While the link between suicide and mental disorders (in particular, depression and alcohol use disorders) is well established in high-income countries, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial troubles, relationship break-up or chronic pain and illness. In addition, experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse, or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behaviour. Suicide rates are also high amongst vulnerable groups who experience discrimination, such as refugees and migrants; indigenous peoples; LGBTI persons; and prisoners. By far the strongest risk factor for suicide is a previous attempt.
Despite the lack of awareness, it is a serious public health problem. In Europe, it is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds, after road traffic accidents, with over 125,000 committed each year. However, it can be prevented with timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions.
Due to that lack of awareness, and the taboo in many societies to openly discuss it, only a few countries have included prevention among their health priorities and only 38 report having a national ad hoc strategy.
Breaking down the taboo means making progress in prevention encouraging people to looking for the help they need but they don't look for and, therefore, don't get, because, for instance, they fear the stigma that it creates talking about thinking of taking their own lives or having attempted it.
It is here, raising awareness about the existence of the problem and offering for free services under conditions of anonymity to help those who need to overcome it, where we find GibSams, a charity registered in Gibraltar, and its founder, Marie Lou Guerrero, the former Chairwoman of the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses and President of the World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises - Europe.
Marie Lou Guerrero, GibSams
(click on the highlighted words below to listen)
Something happened which changed Marie Lou's life. She didn't need previous studies or analyses of the situation in Gibraltar to start.
Gibraltarians are a very caring people so, no barriers to reach the current state of play in GibSams.
Christmas season may be a critical time for people in need.
Suicide may occurs at any time throughout the lifespan. The people who called GibSams to talk don't match with any particular profile. The well-trained team of volunteers led by Marie Lou is prepared to listen to people from all profiles. The anonymity with which they provide their service is total. Not even the police know from where they do it.
When people going through a situation of mental or emotional crisis call GibSams, what do they ask for? What do they need?
In addition to always being there, willing to listen, Marie Lou and her team of volunteers carry out many other activities related to the provided service.
In this case, listening is helping. Although it's important to support the persons they care for, it's essential the GibSams team look after their own mental health too. Their caring roles could make them to feel depressed, anxious or overwhelmed. Even more so if they finally fail to help the caller.
I asked Marie Lou for a balance of these two years of activity, and I also asked her about the use of digital social networks as a tool to help save lives.
Finally, to conclude the interview, we talked about Gibsams' short-term objectives.
Dear reader, according to experts on this field as Marie Lou, we shouldn't be afraid about risking a friendship if we truly feel a friend's life is in danger. It is better to lose a relationship from violating a confidence than it is to go to a funeral. And most of the time they will come back and thank us for saving their life, the experts say.
In this case, our opinion of a person’s situation is irrelevant. Trying to convince a person suffering with a mental illness that it’s not that bad, or that they have everything to live for may only increase their feelings of guilt and hopelessness. We should reassure them that help is available. If possible, participate in making the first phone call. Risking our feelings to help save a life is a risk worth taking. If you live in Gibraltar, call Gibsams 116123. Otherwise, have a look to the 116 helplines provided by the European Union in EU countries.
Alfonsina and the Sea. Tribute to the poet Alfonsina Storni who committed suicide in 1938 in Mar del Plata, jumping into the water from a jetty, although, according to the song, she slowly entered the sea.