March 2024 ACCOMPLISH Magazine

FEATURE / ANALYSIS
DR. FISAYO ASAOLU:
What effective treatment
options would you
recommend for people
contemplating suicide?
Dr. Fisayo Asaolu:
Give them hope, keep them
around and not alone. Proffer
solutions to their bone of
contention, educate them
on emotional intelligence,
and seek help from a
psychologist. Sometimes,
sleeping pills might be
recommended to calm the
mind but these may not give
a lasting solution.
Can trauma and past
experiences make someone
consider suicide as an
option?
Dr. Fisayo Asaolu:
They play a great role
because past experiences
easily downplay the present
and could make some
people consider suicide as
an option.
How can family members
and loved ones support
someone who may be
struggling with suicidal
thoughts?
Dr. Fisayo Asaolu:
Express love and always
keep such people on watch.
The people around them
also need to ensure a nonjudgmental
and empathetic
environment for the affected
individuals to express their
feelings. For instance, Bisi,
who happens to be one
of my nieces, finished
secondary school in 2013 and
started seeking admission
into the university but did
not gain admission till 2019.
That experience could have
led to her death because
she saw herself as a failure
during that period. However,
she became stronger each
time she got support from
her family. So, encouraging
the person and providing
practical support can help
prevent suicide - just like in
the case of Bisi.
From your experience,
what are the common
misconceptions about
suicide and mental health?
Dr. Fisayo Asaolu:
Well, some common
misconceptions about
suicide and mental health
that I have encountered
include the belief that
talking about suicide will
only make it happen, and
the idea that seeking help
is a sign of weakness. These
misconceptions perpetuate
the stigma around mental
health and prevent
individuals from getting the
help they need.
Conclusion
Suicide is not a helpful or
reasonable option and
should never be considered
as a solution to problems.
It is crucial for individuals
struggling with mental
health issues to seek help
and for the community
to provide support and
understanding. By raising
awareness, providing
accessible mental health
services, and advocating for
destigmatisation, we can
work towards reducing the
rate of suicide in the world at
large and promote overall
well-being for all individuals.
TOLULOPE AKINRULI
AUTHOR’S BIO
My love to impact knowledge
to the young and old
led me to research and
writing. Also, l have been
business-oriented, right from
childhood, which made me
focus more on driving the
business world and also
to help people grow their
business. As a writer, I aim
to create an insightful image
in the minds of every reader
for maximum wealth and
health.
38 | Accomplish Magazine