Windflowers: smile

In this world which has glorified materialism over all other considerations is it not surprising that suicide is growing now approaching 1 million a year. The factors that fuel such a dire loss to the family, friends and wider community may also be perversely contributing to the sixth extinction and environmental damage on a global scale.

At what point do we recognise we are responsible for each other, for every living human on this planet, for the creatures that share it with us and for the priceless legacy that is the planet we all inhabit?

If I can make monstrous amount of money selling drugs ( at huge damage to society), peddling fossil fuels rather than renewables (contributing to global warming), continue to market/make cigarettes or alcohol (with associated deaths and health consequences), expand the gambling industry, increase sex business (Human trafficking earns profits of roughly $150 billion a year[1]) or harvest the remaining forests in the world, destroying the lungs of our planet (Between 1990 and 2016, the world lost forests larger in size to the entire country of South Africa[2]) and polluting our seas[3] then why should these activities ever stop? If making money is the sole pursuit, at whatever cost short or long term, then lets at least be honest about its consequences.

In a world which values winners over principles what sort of society do we end up with? And at what cost are such profits made? I speak not only of the economic injustices but also the precedents that have made these activities the habits even the aspirations of people everywhere. Practices that are copied and cultivated by the new 'would be winners' of each succeeding generation.

We often worry about the local drug dealer in our area with his flashy car and evident ill-gotten gains. In a neighbourhood beset with destitution and unemployment, his example becomes seen as the only surefire route out of poverty. What does it do in terms of peer group pressure? What does it say to our young? However, there are many other drivers of suicide apart from that already mentioned. Some are surprisingly unexpected but may be useful to see this issue more clearly.

Age Effects

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year old’s globally[4]. Is this not shocking and unacceptable in equal measures?

Climate Change – too changeable

Between 2012 and 2015 over 10,000 farmers committed suicide in India[5]. It is speculated that the inability to get the right price, crop failures and insurmountable debt are the factors that drive these extraordinary figures. It is also evident that the increasing frequency[6] of events such as drought and floods exasperate these problems.

Geographical Location – too far north and too sunny

Greenland suffers from the highest suicide rate in the world, indeed twice that of the second highest, Lithuania. Since this rate is somewhat similar to the high rate of suicide in the Inuit in the north of Canada it has been speculated that geographical location may be significant. In particular, being high in the Arctic Circle seems to produce larger numbers of suicides (suicide and Greenland). Perversely, the suicides do not peak in the dark of the Arctic winter, as one might expect, when there is no sunlight for months. Instead, suicides are at their maximum in June when there is no night.

Economic Austerity – the silent killer stealing lives

Mortality increased substantially in Russia after the economic crisis in 1998, with even life expectancy falling to 58.9 years among men and 71.8 years among women by 2001. It is estimated that an extra 2.5-3 million Russian adults died in middle age in the period 1992-2001 than would have been expected based on 1991 mortality[7].

So what can be done?

The truth is that many of these factors mentioned above probably act together in terms of providing the perfect storm that costs lives. In one memorable science fiction film, society could monitor deaths live. There was an instant obvious alarm on a global online screen as one life after another was taken/lost. I would like to speculate if we could all have that information fed back to us on a global basis our priorities would change instantly. If natural feedback on the loss of human life could be given would our real responsibilities be made clearer. If our choices could be coloured by even this basic understanding would it change how we act?

On one depressing level, I think perhaps no. After all, for years, we all have known the health consequences of smoking, overeating etc but our poor habits persist. We know war is an awful business which devastates countries and nations but we find excuses to have them.

But on the other hand, I feel humanity as a whole is noble and there are more good people than bad out there. When there is war or a breakdown in society it is the worst of us that come to the fore not the best. So, when I think of suicide or loss of life I am reminded of all those who love and support others, who work in the fields of sustaining health or who create warm united families and communities. Such environments are safety nets for those of us who experience the perfect storm in our lives. My Dad's favourite comedian was Tony Hancock who took his own life and left this note,

"Things just seemed to go too wrong too many times".

Tony Hancock

The sadness and honesty of that line hurts the heart. But a thought-provoking suicide note was found written by another poor soul which simply said,

“I won’t kill myself. As long as someone smiles at me today.”

So, if you have the energy, do smile at someone today, it could make all the difference. Perhaps, there are four qualities which are lovely to find in people and which enrich lives both in the short term and long term. They may not make you materially better off but they are game changers in their own way.