Rompamos con el tabú de hablar del suicidio | María De Quesada | TEDxValencia

TEDx Talks

13 Jun 202316:54

Summary

TLDRIn this powerful talk, the speaker addresses the taboo surrounding suicide, sharing her personal experience of a suicide attempt at 15 and the silence that surrounded it. She emphasizes the importance of breaking the silence to prevent suicide, advocating for responsible discussion and the need for societal support systems. The speaker highlights the role of media in suicide prevention, referencing both the negative 'Werther effect' and the positive 'Papageno effect,' and calls for collective action including education, media responsibility, and government support to tackle this critical issue.

Takeaways

🗣️ The speaker emphasizes the need to break the silence and taboo surrounding suicide, which is often discussed with fear, shame, guilt, and ignorance.
📚 Historically, suicide has been considered a mortal sin and culturally taboo, with negative repercussions for the deceased and their families.
😢 The speaker shares a personal story of attempting suicide at the age of 15, highlighting the emotional pain and isolation felt during that time.
📈 The importance of responsible communication about suicide is underscored, as irresponsible media coverage can lead to a phenomenon known as 'suicide contagion'.
🔑 The speaker advocates for a paradigm shift in how media and society discuss suicide, promoting responsible dialogue as a first step towards prevention.
🌐 The 'Papageno effect' is introduced as a counterpoint to 'Werther effect', showing that media can positively influence attitudes towards life by focusing on hope and support.
📢 The speaker calls for media to follow WHO guidelines when reporting on suicide, including providing helpline numbers and emphasizing support resources.
👥 The talk highlights various at-risk groups for suicide, such as men, those with mental health disorders, the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with addictions, and the elderly.
🏛️ The speaker criticizes the lack of a national suicide prevention plan in Spain, contrasting it with countries like Hungary and Japan that have active prevention strategies.
🚨 The talk concludes with a call to action for individuals to be aware, informed, and supportive to help prevent suicide, and to break the taboo by discussing the topic openly.

Q & A

Why is suicide often considered a taboo subject in society?
-Suicide is often considered a taboo subject in society due to historical and cultural reasons, including fear, shame, guilt, and ignorance. Historically, it has been viewed as an impious act by the Greeks and Romans, and later as a mortal sin in Christianity, leading to social stigma and avoidance.
What was the impact of the book 'The Sorrows of Young Werther' by Goethe on suicide rates?
-The book 'The Sorrows of Young Werther' by Goethe led to a phenomenon known as the 'Werther effect,' where many young people who identified with the protagonist's romantic and tragic story ended up committing suicide in similar manners, highlighting the influence of media on vulnerable individuals.
How did the speaker overcome their personal experience with attempting suicide?
-The speaker overcame their personal experience with attempting suicide by eventually sharing their story, which was initially kept secret for over 20 years. They found courage and support in connecting with others who had similar experiences, leading to the creation of an association for suicide prevention.
What is the 'Papageno effect' and how does it relate to suicide prevention?
-The 'Papageno effect' refers to the positive influence of media when it responsibly reports on suicide, providing resources for help and emphasizing hope and support. This approach, named after a character from Mozart's 'The Magic Flute,' contrasts with the 'Werther effect' and aims to prevent suicide by offering help and reducing stigma.
Why is it important to talk about suicide responsibly?
-Talking about suicide responsibly is important because it can help prevent further suicides by providing resources, support, and understanding. It also helps to break the taboo and stigma surrounding suicide, encouraging those in need to seek help without fear of judgment.
What role can the media play in suicide prevention?
-The media can play a significant role in suicide prevention by following responsible reporting guidelines, providing helplines and resources, and highlighting stories of hope and recovery. They can also raise awareness about risk factors and protective measures.
What are some vulnerable groups that are at higher risk for suicide?
-Some vulnerable groups at higher risk for suicide include men, individuals with mental health disorders, those belonging to the LGTB+ community, people with addictions, and the elderly. These groups require focused attention and support for suicide prevention.
Why did the Spanish government reject a national plan for suicide prevention in late 2022?
-The Spanish government rejected a national plan for suicide prevention in late 2022 because they did not see it as necessary. This decision contrasts with other countries that have implemented such plans and highlights a lack of prioritization for suicide prevention in Spain.
What are some steps individuals can take to contribute to suicide prevention?
-Individuals can contribute to suicide prevention by raising awareness, breaking the taboo around suicide, providing support to those in need, and encouraging open conversations about mental health and suicide. They can also educate themselves about the signs of suicide risk and the available resources for help.
How can the general public help someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts?
-The general public can help someone experiencing suicidal thoughts by being supportive, offering a listening ear, and encouraging them to seek professional help. It's also important to know the signs of suicide risk and to provide information about helplines and resources.
What is the significance of the number 24 in the context of suicide prevention mentioned in the script?
-The number 24 signifies the availability of helplines for suicide prevention, which are accessible 24 hours a day, providing a lifeline for those in crisis. It represents a constant support system for individuals contemplating suicide.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ Breaking the Silence on Suicide

The speaker, Imogen Thompson, discusses the societal taboo surrounding suicide and its historical context, dating back to Greek and Roman cultures and through Christianity, where it was considered a mortal sin. She shares her personal experience of attempting suicide at 15, highlighting the emotional suffering and isolation she felt due to the lack of open conversation about suicide. Thompson emphasizes the importance of discussing suicide to prevent it and shares her journey of opening up about her experience, leading to the creation of 'La niña amarilla,' an association aimed at suicide prevention.

05:04

📚 Responsible Suicide Discourse

The paragraph focuses on the need for responsible communication about suicide, referencing Goethe's 'The Sorrows of Young Werther' and the subsequent 'Werther effect,' where the novel's tragic ending led to copycat suicides. It discusses the impact of media coverage on suicide rates, citing the work of sociologist Phillips, who showed that detailed media reports on suicide can lead to an increase in suicides. The speaker advocates for a change in paradigm, suggesting that media should follow WHO guidelines for reporting on suicide, which include providing help resources and focusing on stories of hope and survival.

10:07

🏥 Multi-Sectoral Approach to Suicide Prevention

This section underscores the collective responsibility in preventing suicide, involving various sectors such as media, education, security forces, healthcare professionals, and governments. It points out the lack of a national suicide prevention plan in Spain and compares it with countries like Hungary and Japan that have active plans. The speaker calls for increased awareness, proper training for educators and first responders, and the allocation of resources for mental health and suicide prevention. The paragraph also provides statistics on suicide rates and the underreporting of suicide cases.

15:07

💡 Raising Awareness and Breaking the Taboo

The final paragraph calls for individual action in suicide prevention, urging people to become more aware, informed, and to break the silence around suicide. It encourages open conversations about suicidal thoughts and memories of those who have died by suicide. The speaker suggests that offering support and companionship to those in need is crucial. The paragraph concludes with a plea for anyone contemplating suicide to seek help, providing the number for a suicide prevention hotline and emphasizing the importance of speaking up and being part of the solution.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Suicide

Suicide refers to the act of intentionally causing one's own death. In the context of the video, it is the central theme, discussed as a deeply stigmatized and often silenced issue in society. The speaker shares a personal experience of a suicide attempt, highlighting the emotional turmoil and isolation that can lead to such actions. The video emphasizes the importance of breaking the silence around suicide to facilitate support and prevention.

💡Taboo

A taboo is a strong social prohibition or ban on a particular practice or discussion, often based on tradition or moral judgment. In the video, the term 'taboo' is used to describe the societal reluctance to openly discuss suicide, which the speaker argues is harmful as it prevents those in need from seeking help. The script mentions historical and cultural perspectives that have contributed to the taboo nature of suicide.

💡Emotional Suffering

Emotional suffering refers to the distress and pain experienced due to one's internal emotional state. The video script describes the speaker's struggle during adolescence, where overwhelming emotional suffering led to suicidal thoughts. This concept is integral to understanding the personal journey shared and the broader message that emotional pain, if left unaddressed, can have severe consequences.

💡Isolation

Isolation is the state of being alone or separated from others. In the script, the speaker mentions feeling isolated due to the lack of open conversations about suicide, which contributed to their emotional distress. The video suggests that breaking the isolation through open dialogue can be a crucial step in suicide prevention.

💡Stigma

Stigma is a mark of disgrace or discredit that results from a perceived deviation from what is socially acceptable. The video discusses the stigma associated with suicide, which often leads to silence and shame, preventing individuals from seeking help. The speaker's narrative illustrates how stigma can exacerbate the feelings of those contemplating suicide.

💡Silence

Silence in the video is metaphorically used to represent the lack of open conversation and support around the topic of suicide. It is depicted as a harmful force that can lead to the internalization of distress and a lack of intervention. The speaker argues for breaking this silence as a means to offer and seek help, thus preventing suicide.

💡Awareness

Awareness, in this context, refers to the knowledge or understanding of a particular issue. The video calls for increased awareness about suicide, its warning signs, and the importance of intervention. It suggests that being aware can empower individuals to recognize when help is needed and to take action to prevent suicide.

💡Support Network

A support network consists of individuals who provide emotional, psychological, or practical help. The script emphasizes the role of a support network in preventing suicide, as the speaker mentions their own network's contribution to overcoming their crisis. The video encourages building and maintaining such networks as a preventive measure.

💡Prevention

Prevention in the context of the video means taking measures to stop suicide from occurring. It is presented as a collective responsibility, involving various sectors of society, including media, education, and healthcare. The video outlines several strategies for prevention, such as responsible communication about suicide, training professionals, and providing resources for those at risk.

💡Media Responsibility

Media responsibility refers to the ethical obligation of media outlets to report on sensitive topics like suicide in a way that does not promote or glamorize it but instead educates and supports prevention efforts. The video discusses the historical 'Werther effect' and contrasts it with the 'Papageno effect,' highlighting the media's potential to influence suicide rates through responsible reporting.

💡Vulnerability

Vulnerability in the video signifies the state of being susceptible to harm or negative influences. The speaker acknowledges that everyone, including the audience, can experience vulnerability and potentially suicidal thoughts. This term is used to normalize the discussion around mental health struggles and to encourage empathy and proactive support.

Highlights

Silence and taboo surrounding suicide can lead to isolation and suffering.

Historically, suicide has been considered a sin and a taboo in many cultures.

The speaker shares a personal story of a suicide attempt at the age of 15.

The importance of breaking the silence around suicide to seek help and support.

The 'Werther effect' shows how media portrayal of suicide can lead to copycat incidents.

Responsible media communication can prevent suicide by following WHO guidelines.

The 'Papageno effect' demonstrates how media can provide hope and prevent suicide.

Men are three times more likely to commit suicide compared to women.

Mental health disorders, addiction, and the LGBTQ+ community are at higher risk for suicide.

The need for educational centers to train staff to detect and respond to suicide risks.

First responders and healthcare professionals play a crucial role in suicide prevention.

Governments must allocate resources for national suicide prevention plans.

Spain lacks a national suicide prevention plan, unlike other countries like Hungary and Japan.

Suicide is the leading cause of external death in Spain since 2008.

The speaker calls for awareness, breaking the taboo, and providing support to prevent suicide.

The importance of seeking help and using resources like the 24-hour suicide hotline.

The talk concludes with a call to action to be part of the solution in preventing suicide.