Suicide+-+A+Permanent+Solution+to+a+Temporary+Problem+-+Uncovering+the+Reality+and+Protection+against+Mental+Illness+and+Suicide+Mortality

Student Name: Louise Smit Student Number: 8283001 Tutor: Abbey Diaz

__**Suicide: A Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem - **__ __**Uncovering the Reality and Protection against Mental Illness and Suicide Mortality **__

//"All too often, suicide represents a tragic consequence of failing to diagnose and treat serious mental illness, it requires a concerted public health response globally, nationally, and also from communities and families, to reduce suicide by reducing mental illness." ~ Dr. Anders Nordstrom // (World Health Organization, 2006).

**Artefact **

Representative of the central image displayed on the Medical Problems website, this image symbolizes the focal topic discussed, depression. Medical Problems, an unreliable online resource, focuses on a variety of health related issues aiming to enhance the knowledge of those seeking information on health related problems (Medical Problems, n.d.). This cultural artefact, although not specifically identified symbolically by the medical problems website, is surrounded by factors related to depression, a psychological disorder of mental illness. Capturing an isolated person seeking freedom, this image is set within a human eye; exemplifying the accurate imprisoned and emotional state that one feels, when suffering with a mental illness.

**Public Health Issue ** Mental illness, a probable cause of suicidality, is fundamentally a major public health concern in today’s society and is where a person’s ability to think, act, believe and interact with other people is considerably affected and problematical (Australian Government, 2007).According to statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2008), mental illness affects almost half (45%) of Australians at some point during their lifetime. Furthermore, worldwide, a lmost one million people die annually as a result of suicidality, which alarmingly is a rate of one death every forty seconds (World Health Organization, 2011a). These frightening statistical figures are associated with personal individualistic issues; however conversely have strong correlations with the social context of which the individual is surrounded by (Manu, 2010). Throughout this essay, mental illness with suicide at the focal point will be discussed in correlation to societal factors influencing the rate of suicide, specifically in relation to religion, culture and economic circumstances.

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**Literature Review ** ‘Suicide’, by definition according to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Physiology (2008), is indisputably mysterious and a confusing phenomenon. Suicide, as one of Australia’s leading causes of mortalities is undoubtedly correlated with mental illness, as 90% of all suicide cases are associated with depression, schizophrenia or alcoholism, and as a result, are highly preventable (World Health Organization, 2006).

The risk of mental illness and thus suicidality evidentially decreases significantly when the individual is in association with a religious or spiritual group (Rasic, et al., 2009). According to the World Health Organization (2008), religious faith prohibits suicide and it is generally perceived as an unforgiveable and selfish act. Furthermore, research has shown that religiosity affiliation provides protection against mental illness and physiological distress (Levin, 2010). It is interesting to note that amongst the most common religious groups, Protestants have the highest suicide rates followed by the Roman Catholics, whilst Jewish people have the lowest rates of suicidality of all religious groups (Gearing & Lizardi, 2009). Christianity, as Australia’s most predominant religion, holding of a lower suicide rate than the Roman Catholic’s, forbids suicide and views it as a serious sin (World Health Organization, 2008). In addition, Australia’s burden of suicide reflects on this, rating lower in comparison to several countries worldwide, who share diverse beliefs (World Health Organization, 2008). Moreover, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007), stated that more than a quarter of Australians revealed they were unreligious in 2001, linking to the occurrence of suicide, which is at the rate of 8.2 suicides per ten thousand people, per year, in Australia (World Health Organization, 2011b). Although evidently high, as Levin (2010) proposed, not every individual associated with a religious group is protected against mental illness. Contrasty however, statistically majority of those who are in affiliation with a religious or spiritual group, despite which religion belief, are unlikely to suffer with a mental disorder and therefore suicidality over unreligious individuals.

It is evident that religiosity has a key influence on mental illness and assists health clinicians to understand the extent and relevance of the illness (Levin, 2010), nevertheless conversely culture plays a key role in relation to mental illness correspondingly. According to Bhugra (2006), culture affects mental illness influentially on the ability to utilize health services and treatment options, although it varies amongst the expectations of different cultural beliefs. Research conducted around the issue of culture and mental illness has shown that in several countries, the lack of utilization of help and treatment services is due to the fact that suicide is declared as a criminal offence (World Health Organization, 2011c).

 Interestingly, women are more prone to and affected by cultural influences over men in relation to suicide and mental illness (World Health Organisation, 2011c). As stated by Kumar (2003), arranged marriages and unequal women rights, predominantly present in Islamic and Muslim cultures are contributing causes in suicidal behaviours in women, particularly by the method of self-inflicted burning. Globally, it is more common for women to have higher rates of suicide ideation than men; however men are more likely to act on this ideation resulting in suicide completion (Javdani, Sadeh & Verona, 2011). Contrasty, across cultures the rates of suicide vary, particularly in correlation to gender, for instance young Chinese women in China, are more likely to commit suicide than men as a result of feeling powerlessness, whereas in western cultures this is reversed (Canetto, 2008). Consequently, in view of that, cross culturally all over the world, culture has an influential effect on mental illness and suicide, including within individualistic western cultures, such as Australia.

Australia, as one of the most multicultural countries worldwide, continues to hold one of the oldest cultural traditions in the world with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities (Australian Government, 2008). Although the Aboriginal people have lived in Australia for at least forty thousand years (Australian Government, 2008), suicide is their most common cause of mortality, holding the highest percentage of suicides within the Australian population in 2009 at 4% for indigenous people, comparative to 1.5% for the remaining population (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011). Moreover, the traditional aboriginal culture distinguish mental illness differently to the mainstream Australian culture, as the Aboriginal culture believe it to be due to an external factor and a result of something that the individual did against traditional law, whereas the mainstream Australian culture believe it be due to individual personal reasons (Australian Government, 1995). According to Parker (2010), the above occurrence of aboriginal suicides in conjunction with mental illness, has severely increased over time due to the insecurities around culture safety from the disturbance of the Aboriginal societies by non-indigenous Australians.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The significance of the economical context and personal financial circumstances amongst individuals comprehensively influences the rates of mental illness and suicides societally and individualistically. Moniruzzamana and Andersson (2004), stated that economic development is a key factor in changing patterns of mortality and disease. In addition, the highest burden of suicide in the world is found in low-income countries including Asia and the Pacific (World Health Organization, 2011c). In terms of income uncertainties, men aged 25 to 44 years have a higher prevalence of suicide in Australia than women, which is correspondingly linked to the high rates of unemployment amongst this age group (Suzuki, 2008). As a result of this, people suffering with economic difficulties are more inclined to be exposed to drugs and alcohol, increasing the rates of suicide further (Portes, Sandhu, & Longwell-Grice, (2002). Furthermore, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006), stated that Australians who live in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas have a higher prevalence of mental disorders at 16%, compared to those who live in the prestigious areas of Australia where the rate is lower at 9%. Economic and financial hardship and the reduced access to support services all contribute to an increased risk of suicide in rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged areas (Australian Government, 2011b).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Finally, mental health services are underutilized worldwide. According to study based in the UK, three quarters of suicides are not in contact with mental health services twelve months prior to dying (Hamdi, Price, Qassem, Amin, & Jones, 2008). Methodologically, this data was collaborated from a clinical point of view acting as a limitation to this study and consequently, if the information was collected from the individuals who were prone to suicide as opposed health clinicians, this study could have been enhanced further. Kapur (2009) who viewed this issue from the identical clinical viewpoint, stated that prevention strategies are needed to reduce suicidal rates, which evidence suggests are continuously rising internationally (Javdani, Sadeh, & Verona, 2011).

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Cultural and Social Analysis ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To determine and comprehend the diverse beliefs around suicide as a public health issue, it is essential to consider a contrasting social theorist’s point of view on suicide. To readdress the issue of suicide in relation to religion, culture and economics’, social theorist Emile Durkheim’s ideation around the subject is comparable to the scientific research, and therefore it is fundamental to relate the similarities and disparities between their various viewpoints. Durkheim, who provided speculation and theories on the rates and causes of suicide, believed that suicide was a cause of social factors within a society, as opposed to psychological factors of the individual (Allan, 2005). Relative the above scientific research conducted on suicide, Durkheim believed that the affiliation with a religion, culture and being economical stable affects the rates of suicide in a positive way (Morrison, 2006).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Firstly, as stated by Gearing and Lizardi (2009), Durkheim was the first to suggest that spiritual and religious affiliation contribute to emotional security as it provides meaning and direction to the world. According to Morrison (2006), Durkheim theorised that religiosity incorporate individuals into different aspects of the social life by promoting a connection to the community, church and the spiritual world. As mentioned previously by Gearing and Lizardi (2009), Protestants, of all religious groups have the highest rates of suicide followed by the Roman Catholics, and according to Morrison (2006), Durkheim theorised over the social factors of what could affect the suicide rates amongst these two religious groups. Primarily, Durkheim observed that the major difference between Protestantism and Catholicism is that the Catholics never openly criticise their religious beliefs whereas the Protestants are the complete opposite and encourage change within their religious beliefs (Morrison, 2006).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Similarly to religiosity, culture has a strong correlation to Durkheim’s ideation onfatalistic and altruistic suicide. Fatalism is where a person is overregulated in society and therefore the individual constitutes a lack of control, where on the other hand, altruism is the outcome of an individual becoming attached to the society resulting in self sacrifice where ultimately, individuality is lost (Morrison, 2006). This theory strongly correlates to research conducted by Kumar’s (2003), who as mentioned above, stated that suicidality in Indian women is frighteningly high due to arranged marriages and unequal women rights. Culturally forced to surrender their future, these young women, as Durkheim theory suggests, commits altruistic suicide by self sacrificing through the method of setting themselves on fire and burning to mortality (Morrison, 2006).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">As a final point, Durkheim believed that the economic context as well as the occupational status of an individual, strongly correlates with suicide due to societal factors. Economical circumstances strongly relate to Durkheim’s theory on Anomic suicide, which is absence of regulation that occurs in society where instability is lost (Morrison, 2006). The dominance of economical progress removes financial limits and boosts social activity, enhancing the relevance of materialistic, yet optional items (Morrison, 2006). As materialistic desire increase in the society, the ability to set a level of restraint is diminishing, and as not every person has the ability to reach that level, this puts strain on individuals and as a result affects suicidality (Morrison, 2006).

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Analysis of Artefact and Reflections ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Electronically presented on the ‘medical problems’ website, this photograph was chosen as the cultural artefact to signify and indicate the reluctance and disinclination to express emotion, a familiar identification of a mentally ill sufferer. The diverse major factors discussed throughout this essay effectively correspond to the cultural artefact presented above. Demonstrating inescapable gestures and desiring to break out of this state, this young girl conveys the need for freedom and expresses the ability for the human mind to take over control, thus illustrating the power of a mental illness. As this image centrally portrays the individualistic viewpoint on mental illness it is therefore importance to emphasise that the comprehension of the context is often disregarded, nevertheless is as equally important and evidently can influence the individual towards suicidality significantly, as discussed throughout this essay.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">All in all, on review of this assignment, it is obvious that as a society and contrasty individualistically, mental illness and suicidality is a major public health issue that needs to be reframed from a taboo and presented as a culturally acceptable disorder, not only in Australia, but globally. After extensive research around this public health issue, it is apparent that the ability to utilize religion and cultural beliefs as well as economic situations as therapeutical alternatives on mentally ill patients, could severely reduce the risks of suicide. Nationwide, in terms of mental health awareness and prevention programs, the Australian Government has recently made remarkable improvements (Australian Government, 2011a), and whilst it is evident that Australia is on the road to vast advances in preventing the burden of suicide and mental illness; this is only the beginning, towards a long journey in achieving success.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Learning Engagement and Reflection ** //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Mental Illness, Suicidal Tendencies and Ecological Systems - // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">David Rodwell

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Your assignment expressed an excellent review on mental illness, suicide and ecological systems and used highly regarded sources of information. Your cultural artefact ‘Institutionalized’ signifies a powerful message in relation to your topic and your beginning quote of Durkheim established a strong initial impact, setting up the essay well. Personally, I found your video on the National Institute of Mental Health very interesting, and it strongly correlates to the public health issue concerning prevention strategies. The ideation and research around the ‘Bronfennbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory’, relating to suicide and the society, enhanced your argument on suicide further and was a perfect choice in theoretical orientation. Great work! From: Louise Smit

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">'Sport and Feminity Do Not Mix,' says who? // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">- Emma Howe

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Your assignment was very interesting to read and your chosen cultural artefact represents a strong message for your argument, correlating to your topic exceptionally well. I found it remarkable to learn that women are rarely portrayed in the media around sports, however once they sexualise their existence, gain a bigger audience and media coverage. In agreement with you, women are not biological built to compete in sport at the same level as men; however I believe female athletes have the right to receive credit for their accomplishments, as you mentioned. Great work! From: Louise Smit.

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