September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day, an important day to bring awareness to the global issue of suicide. Each year, over 700,000 people die by suicide, equivalent to one person every 40 seconds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29. This World Suicide Prevention Day, let's talk about how CBD can help those struggling with mental health issues.
Suicide
Suicide is defined as the act of taking one's own life. Suicide is often caused by a combination of factors, including mental health issues, substance abuse, relationship problems, and financial stressors.
Suicide is a global problem that needs to be addressed with prompt, evidence-based, and often inexpensive interventions. A suicide prevention strategy should involve a multisectoral approach to be effective. This type of strategy should include sectors that should be included in health, education, social, economic, and labor.
In order to reduce the number of suicides, it is crucial to target high-risk groups such as those with mental disorders, those who have attempted suicide before, and those who have lost a loved one to suicide. It is also vital to educate the general public about suicide and how to spot the warning signs to intervene before it is too late.
Suicide Prevention
Suicide affects people of all ages, genders, and social backgrounds. Despite its high toll, suicide is preventable.
WHO's comprehensive approach to suicide prevention includes:
- Strengthening legislation and policies to support the prevention of suicide and self-harm and improve access to care for people with mental disorders
- Increasing public awareness to challenge the stigma surrounding mental disorders and help-seeking behavior and promote available services
- Promoting safe environments makes homes, schools, workplaces, and communities safer.
- Providing access to quality mental health care and support services: to people with mental disorders and those who are at risk of suicide
With the right measures in place, we can save lives and make our world healthier and happier.
Multisectoral Suicide Prevention
A suicide prevention strategy must be multisectoral, involving multiple sectors of society working together to address the issue. This is because no single sector can effectively address all the factors contributing to suicide.
For example, the health sector can provide mental health services and disease prevention, but it cannot address social determinants of health like poverty or discrimination. The education sector can provide knowledge about suicide and how to get help, but it cannot provide mental health services. A suicide prevention strategy must involve all sectors of society working together to be effective.
The first step in developing a suicide prevention strategy is to conduct a needs assessment to identify the problem and its causes. This includes looking at data on suicide rates and trends, as well as risk and protective factors.
Once the needs assessment is complete, the next step is to develop evidence-based interventions that address the identified risk factors. These interventions must be designed to meet the specific needs of the population they are intended for.
For example, interventions for young people may differ from those for older adults. Finally, it is essential to implement these interventions at a large scale and monitor their effects over time. By taking these steps, we can develop an effective suicide prevention strategy that can save lives.
Who are at Risk of Suicide?
There are many risk factors for suicide, but it is essential to remember that suicide is preventable. Some of the most common risk factors include:
Mental disorders: Suicide is often caused by a combination of mental health issues and other stressors. Mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder are all significant risk factors for suicide.
Substance abuse: People who abuse alcohol or drugs are at a higher risk of suicide. Substance abuse can lead to mental health problems, financial stressors, and relationship problems, all of which can contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Trauma: Traumatic events such as the death of a loved one, sexual abuse, or natural disasters can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a major risk factor for suicide.
Abuse and neglect: Children who are abused or neglected are at a higher risk of suicide. This is often due to the development of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Chronic physical pain: People who suffer from chronic pain are at a higher risk of suicide. This is often due to the development of depression and anxiety.
Relationship problems: Relationship problems can include breakups, divorce, bullying, and abuse.
Financial stressors: Financial problems can include job loss, debt, and financial insecurity.
Warning Signs of Suicide
If you are worried that someone you know may be considering suicide, it is crucial to be aware of the warning signs. Some of the most common warning signs include:
- Talking about wanting to die or hurt oneself
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing alcohol or drug abuse
- Withdrawing from friends and activities
- Experiencing severe mood swings
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Giving away prized possessions
- Talking about death or dying
If you notice any warning signs, you must reach out to the person and offer help and support. You can also call a suicide hotline in your country for more information on how to help someone who may be considering suicide.
What To Do When Someone Lets You Know They're Suicidal?
If someone you know tells you they are thinking about suicide, it is vital to take them seriously. This is not a time to judge, lecture, or try to fix their problems. Instead, it is a time to offer support and understanding. You can do this by:
- Listening without judgment
- Asking questions without being confrontational
- Offering hope that things can get better
- Encouraging them to seek professional help
- Helping them develop a support network
- Staying with them until professional help arrives
If you are worried that someone may be in imminent danger of harming themselves, do not leave them alone. Call emergency services or take them to the nearest hospital.
CBD May Help Support Mental Health
Here are 3 ways CBD can support mental health.
- CBD can help promote a sense of relaxation.
CBD has been shown to help promote a sense of relaxation in people who use it. This can be helpful for people who are struggling with anxiety or depression, as it can help reduce some of the symptoms associated with these conditions. CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, which regulates mood and stress levels.
In one study, participants who took CBD experienced a decrease in their anxiety levels. The study found that CBD effectively reduced anxiety symptoms in people with a social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Another study looked at the effects of CBD in people with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The study found that CBD effectively reduced anxiety levels in people with GAD.
CBD can also help promote relaxation by reducing stress levels. In one study, participants who took CBD experienced a decrease in their cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress. The study found that CBD effectively reduced cortisol levels in people with anxiety and stress.
- CBD may help with sleep.
A good night's sleep is essential for maintaining mental and physical health, but some people may struggle to get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep per night. This can lead to fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and a greater risk for mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Fortunately, CBD appears to have the potential to improve sleep. Daily CBD improved sleep for 65% of the study's participants. While more research is needed to confirm these findings, CBD may be a safe and effective way to improve sleep for people who struggle with insomnia or other sleep disorders.
- CBD may help with depression.
While CBD is not a cure for depression, it may help to relieve some symptoms. In one study, participants with depression were given a daily dose of CBD for two weeks. The participants reported a decrease in symptoms of depression, including feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities.
CBD may also help to improve sleep and appetite, two other common symptoms of depression. While more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of CBD for treating depression, it may be an effective option for those seeking relief from their symptoms.
New Season Wellness is Here to Help
In recent years, CBD has gained popularity for its potential role in promoting mental and emotional health. World Suicide Prevention Day is a significant opportunity to raise awareness of how CBD can help those struggling with mental health issues.
Preliminary research suggests that CBD may help to reduce anxiety and improve mood. Additionally, CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. As a result, it is possible that CBD could help to protect against neurological damage caused by suicide. While more research is needed to confirm these effects, CBD offers hope for those suffering from mental health issues.
New Season Wellness is committed to providing quality CBD products that may help you reap the compound's amazing benefits. We only offer CBD products that are third-lab tested and quality assured. US grown, our CBD is subject to some of the strictest quality standards in the world. So you can be confident that when you choose New Season Wellness, you're getting an effective and safe product.
Sources:
Cannabidiol (CBD) in the Self-Treatment of Depression-Exploratory Study and a New Phenomenon of Concern for Psychiatrists - NCBI
The Impact of Cannabidiol on Psychiatric and Medical Conditions - NCBI