In Brazil, every 10 minutes a teenager is attended by self -injury or attempt, points out research by the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics
A survey recently released by the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP) showed that, in Brazil, every ten minutes, a teenager from 10 to 19 years is attended to self -injury or attempt to take his own life. The data were collected through the Notification Information System (Sinan) and include occurrences recorded by, schools and social assistance centers, according to local protocols.
It is an alarming data, which should be taken into consideration not only during the. Also according to the survey, in the last two years there have been, on average, 137 calls in medical units per day in this age group, involving both cases of self -project violence and suicide attempts. SBP emphasizes that records may not represent the totality of the problem, as many cases are not recorded.
The impact of, however, goes beyond numbers and deeply affects not only those who live with anguish, but families and entire communities. Knowing how to deal with pain and open spaces to speak is critical. At least that’s what experts believe such as Dr. Daniela Tonelloto, a neuropsychology expert (USP), who lost her only child to suicide. “Launching the book especially in Yellow September represents for me an act of memory, love and care. It is to transform the pain of the loss of my child into a dialogue about mourning, mental health and suicide prevention, seeking to play other people who also suffer in silence. It is throwing light on discussion: what is not spoken, does not change and we need to talk about suicide. Welcoming and strengthening the awareness that no one needs to face mourning alone, ”he says emotionally.
Daniela Tonelloto wrote the book “In parentheses – pain is proportional to love” (disclosure)
Based on her experience and studies, also a postgraduate professor in Neuropsychology at the USP Institute of Psychiatry (IPQ) wrote the book “In parentheses-pain is proportional to love”, by Artêra Editora. During the elaboration of the work, Daniela led to research on depression, suicide and mourning. In this process, it identified signs of factors that make adolescents and young adults especially vulnerable. “The teenager and the young adult live phases of great emotional vulnerability: the brain is still maturing, especially in areas linked to the control of emotions. This, added to external factors such as academic and social pressure, inequalities, isolation, excessive use of social networks and uncertainties, seems to create a scenario of stress and little emotional regulation.”
Prevention is welcome: all pain must be validated
In an exclusive interview with the portal, the expert made a point of emphasizing how social differences can affect various types of people. “Many young people do not find proper support: there is a lack of access to mental health services, stigma in asking for help and little articulation between family, school and public policies. The result is an accumulation of risks that can lead to suicidal behaviors. Still, we need to remember that the upward curve of suicide has affected not only them but also adults 50 years or older.”
As a mother who lives with mourning, the neuropsychologist states that there is no formula for avoiding suicide, but there are some steps that can be followed to prevent it. “The main warning is that suicide never has a single cause, it is always multifactorial. Anxiety and depression are important signs, but they do not explain everything. What we need is to be aware that emotional pain is becoming unbearable: speech, isolation, behavioral changes, loss of interest in life… but the central message is that any suffering needs to be welcomed and taken seriously.”
To worried parents, who believe that their children or acquaintances are experiencing something similar to unbearable suffering, the doctor advises listening: “The most important thing is to be really present. Many times, they don’t even expect you to say something; they just need to be listened to. In my hard experience, I only knew about the painting when we were very critical. to deteriorate quickly ”.
For those who go through some difficult time or intense suffering and avoid talking, Daniela Tonelloto reinforces that talking about the subject is a measure of collective care. She also explains that her book is a way to help prevent this problem. “For those who are feeling hopeless, it is important to remember that suicide is a definitive decision for something that is transitory; no pain or anguish lasts forever. As a survivor mourning suicide, my son I say in prayer that I honor your life transforming my pain into welcome and dialogue, in the hope that other people do not need to go through the same. For those who suffer and help, perhaps, change the fate of someone and some families. This is my hope, ”he concludes.
