SUICIDE

SUICIDE

This articles was written five days after I received a phone call from a family friend that her twenty one year old son (Talha) was dead. I got this call Sunday, October 24, 2010, while I was away on a conference at Strausberg, Pennsylvania. Talha was born on June 8, 1978 in Zaria, Nigeria. His mother a royal kalabari from Rivers state, Nigeria, and his father a well educated black American from Atlanta Georgia. Talha attended and graduated with honors at Oxford high school and a final year student in computer science at Lincoln university of Pennsylvania at the time he committed suicide. "But why me..?" she asked over the the phone.

Suicide can have a devastating impact on victims and communities

People who talk about or try to kill themselves often feel hopeless and are often trapped in their emotions or problems. Many times these feelings can be related to other factors such as depression or substance abuse or a major stressful event like loss of loved one, frustration or worthlessness.

Depression is a serious medical illness. Depression is more than just the "blues" it is a hopeless sadness that affects your thoughts, moods, feelings, behavior, and even your physical health. The condition affects your ability to function or study (if you a student), enjoy pleasurable activities or sleep.

No one saw depressive symptoms in Talha. He participated in many sporting events and activities in high school and in college. He played high school football (as a wide receiver), also played baseball and won black belt 2nd degree in martial arts. He had all the support system he needed at home and in school. In fact some of his professors were Nigerians, his late grandfather was also a tenured professor at Lincoln university of Pennsylvania.

Sometimes (without professional help) it is difficult to identify symptoms of depression. Talha has no prior history nor treated for behavioral or mental health problems. Other times depression may seem to come out of no where. Perhaps, in Talha's situation it may be unidentified chronic condition that existed without proper diagnoses.

It is very important to know the warning signs of suicide. People who feel hopeless may talk about suicide, withdrawn from family and friends, give away their personal belongings, or engage in risky behavior. Please urge people you know with suicidal thoughts to get help. Educate yourself that suicide may not be the only option when you or someone you know is feeling hopeless.

Talha was reportedly missing from August 24, 2010, and was found dead by Oxford police on October 23, 2010. May almighty Allah bless his soul!

Dr. Fenny Braide is a Psychotherapist and a family friend to The Mahmuds of Oxford Pennsylvania.
Reposted for Qualitative study----All rights reserved.