Breaking the Silence on Suicide
Photo courtesy of Essex Working Well
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day
Every 45 seconds someone in the world takes their own life. Suicide claims over 700,000 lives annually cutting across borders, classes and communities. It is one of the leading causes of death among young people aged 15-29 and no country is untouched by its toll. According to the WHO, more than 77% of suicides occur in low and middle income countries but the shadow of suicide haunts even the world’s most developed nations. In Asia, suicide accounts for nearly 60% of the world’s total with countries such as India, China, South Korea and Sri Lanka bearing heavy burdens. While some countries such as Japan and South Korea have reported high rates due to social and work pressures, others such as Lithuania and Russia show patterns linked to alcohol abuse and economic strain. Globally, suicide does not discriminate; it can affect anyone at any stage of life.
On World Suicide Prevention Day, it is vital to reflect on the realities in Sri Lanka. Recently, three young people jumped from Colombo’s Altair building and Lotus Tower. Their stories highlight an uncomfortable truth: we rarely talk about mental health. Depression, bullying, family pressures and academic stress weigh heavily on young people, yet these struggles remain largely invisible.
Statistics reveal the urgency of the crisis. According to the Health Ministry, the country records around 3,000-4,000 suicide deaths annually with thousands more attempting. Behind each number lies a person, often someone who never wanted to die but who desperately wanted their unbearable pain to end. Studies show hopelessness is a strong predictor of suicide. Individuals describe feeling trapped, like a burden, with no reason to live. These warning signs are often visible through changes in talk, behaviour or mood but go unnoticed.
Warning signs to watch for include talking about wanting to die, having no reason to live and feeling like a burden; behavioural changes such as withdrawing, giving away possessions, increased substance use and acting recklessly; and mood changes such as depression, irritability, humiliation and anxiety.
Recognising these signs and starting a conversation can save a life. Asking someone if they’re thinking of suicide does not put the idea in their head; it shows you care. Sometimes just being present and listening can ease the loneliness that fuels despair.
The hidden battles
Suicidal thoughts are rarely about wanting death itself; they are about escaping suffering. I spoke to several young people who survived attempts. One girl confessed: “I overdosed and still ask God why I wasn’t taken that day… my family says I’m the problem, I was never perfect.” Another admitted to vaping and cutting in secret. “Outside I smile, but I died long ago. These substances ease my pain,” she said.
Arin, a teenager, described his attempt. “Survival didn’t feel like victory; it felt like punishment. But slowly, through therapy and small acts of kindness, I found reasons to hold on a little longer.” Maya, who grew up in foster care, said, “Survival wasn’t about being healed. It was about staying alive for my younger brother.” Daniel, 22, still fights depression daily but says, “Maybe just living, even with the weight, is a kind of victory.” Leena, 30, who tried after divorce and miscarriage, finds comfort in a plant that continues to grow despite neglect. “If something so fragile can keep going, maybe I can too.”
These testimonies remind us that survival is rarely about complete healing; it’s about holding on, one day at a time.
How suicide can be prevented
Suicide is preventable. The causes are complex ranging from untreated mental illness, trauma and family breakdown to economic hardship, bullying and substance abuse. Yet prevention requires more than medical intervention alone. The WHO’s Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan (2013–2030) calls for reducing global suicide rates by one third, framing suicide as a public health issue.
A holistic approach means addressing the social determinants of health such as poverty, inequality, access to care, stigma and harmful cultural norms. Families, schools and workplaces must create environments where people can seek help without shame. Importantly, national strategies must combine healthcare, education, community awareness and government action.
One 17 year-old survivor said, “After I tried, my parents worried more about shame and reputation than my pain. They asked, ‘What will people say?’ not ‘Why are you hurting?’ Prevention begins at home, choosing compassion over pride.”
Today, many teenagers fall into cycles of gaming, drugs and reckless behaviour not because they are bad children but because they are hurting. These habits mask deeper struggles with depression, loneliness or anxiety. Unless addressed with empathy, they can spiral into suicidal crises.
Celebrity suicides
Suicide has shaken the global music industry. Artists, despite their fame and success, often face intense psychological pressures from the weight of public expectations to personal struggles with mental health, addiction, cyber bullying and isolation. Their stories serve as reminders that mental health challenges transcend wealth, status and talent. Among those who have taken their own lives are Kurt Cobain of the band Nirvana, Tim Bergling a Swedish DJ and producer, Chester Bennington lead singer of Linkin Park and Sulli a South Korean pop star.
Even the most successful individuals battle with suicidal thoughts. Global pop icon Billie Eilish has spoken openly about her teenage years, describing a period of clinical depression where she “didn’t think she would make it to 17.” She admitted to self-harm, feelings of worthlessness and body image struggles. Yet her message is one of patience and hope: “It’ll come in waves… it’ll get worse and it’ll get better. Be patient with yourself. Things fade.”
Billie reminds us that listening – not lecturing, not comparing – is the most powerful gift. Her words echo what survivors everywhere say: what saves lives is not silence or stigma but patience, empathy and presence.
Liam Payne, a former One Direction member, has been candid about his battles with depression, addiction and suicidal thoughts. In interviews, he admitted that at the height of fame he felt trapped and considered ending his life. Unlike many tragic cases, Payne’s openness about his struggles has helped spark conversations about the pressures of fame and the importance of seeking help. His story shows that survival is possible and that prevention, awareness and support networks can save lives.
These stories are not just about celebrities; they reflect what millions worldwide endure in silence. Suicide among celebrities underscores the urgent need to normalise conversations about mental health, provide support systems and break the stigma around seeking help.
From the wealthiest celebrity to the most marginalised child, suicide spares no one. Behind every number is a life that could have been saved with compassion, awareness and timely intervention. Suicide prevention is not only about saving lives in crisis; it is about building societies where people are seen, heard and valued long before they reach the breaking point. If we start listening more, judging less and prioritising mental health the way we prioritise physical health, we can give hope where despair once lived. And sometimes, hope is all it takes to stay.
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