A decline in the number of people who died by suicide last year reveals a positive trend that can be maintained by preventing an increase in depression, according to psychiatrist Anton Grech.
Dr Grech was contacted after figures read out in Parliament show a drop in the number of deaths by suicide in 2016 when compared to 2015.
While there were 22 reported deaths in 2013, the figure rose to 31 in 2014, 36 in 2015 and back down to 21 in 2016.
While the figures are “definitely not bad news”, Dr Grech said they are not statistically significant because they could easily fluctuate.
He noted that while worldwide there had been a rising trend in suicide, linked to an increase in depression, in Malta the numbers have remained stable or trended down.
While the figures were within the margin of error, if they did increase in the next couple of years this would not necessarily be alarming.
Such a positive trend could be reinforced by trying to prevent an increase in depression, he said.
Research has shown that while not all suicides are caused by depression, a declining incidence helps prevent suicide.
The incidence of depression is higher than many are aware of, with around 17 per cent of the population suffering from the condition sometime in their life.
We need to understand that we are in control
Dr Grech, the clinical chairman of the Department of Psychiatry within the Ministry of Health, explained that depression was up around the globe as we are living in a much more stressful environment. Life is faster, the demands have increased, and more is expected of people in less time.
This, he said, is especially true in the workplace, with increased demands for efficiency and effectiveness. In reality, manual and non-manual workers are producing more than they would have 20 years ago.
At the same time, communication technology has improved. Nowadays, instead of calling someone on their landline and leaving a message on an answering machine, people call each other on their mobiles, expecting an immediate answer. The receiver is expected to take decisions within much less time and with less reflection.
“While we take advantage of technological developments, we need to understand that we are in control. We need to be able to switch off our phones and be inaccessible.”
Don’t skip your lunch break
When our body is under stress, it produces more cortisol and adrenaline, in a bid to remain efficient. However, after a while, we need to recover, because producing high levels of these two hormones leads to anxiety and depression.
Unfortunately, people have lost all sense of recovery, skipping lunch breaks and remaining accessible on their phones even while driving.
As a result Dr Grech has seen a gradual increase in burnout over the past 20 years.
He has also noted a worrying increase in the way people try to cope with burnout and stress, such as use of alcohol and illicit drugs.
The use of stimulant drugs, such as cocaine, has increased especially among those with the most stressful, non-manual, jobs.
On the other hand, Dr Grech recommends positive coping mechanisms, which include short and frequent breaks.
It is no use working hard all year and taking all of August off.
However, this does not mean spending all your free time online, as this actually cuts you off from your social circles.
In fact, research has shown that the best way to help overcome stress is to have a few close people with whom you can discuss and share your feelings and thoughts.
Delegating work is also important, as one of the most common causes of stress is the tendency to try achieving perfectionism. Some often end up taking on too much work that could be done by others.
When a person tries such preventive measures, and they still suffer from depression, they should not be reluctant to seek professional help, Dr Grech added.
Avoiding and overcoming stress
• Short frequent breaks
• Switching off after work
• Good time management
• Delegate work
• Maintain good physical health
• Exercise to take your mind off
• Surround yourself with a small group of people you can open up to.