Yellow is a beautiful color to wear year-round but wearing it this month might also help save lives. That's because the World Health Organization and the International Association for Suicide Prevention have carried out a hopeful campaign for Suicide Prevention since 2003, where yellow is the protagonist that has managed to save hundreds of lives that would have otherwise succumbed to emotional imbalance.
The gray area
Did you know that more than 700,000 people around the world commit suicide every year? (1) And 90% of the cases are preventable! Which is precisely what this campaign aims to do. You might be wondering what the relationship between suicide prevention and yellow is… It’s a deep symbolism stemming from the story of a teenager who committed suicide back in 1994. His greatest pride was a yellow car he had purchased and painstakingly restored. His inner sadness and external social pressure left him feeling overwhelmed and led him to end his life. In his honor, his family and friends created the Yellow Ribbon Program, with the purpose of spreading awareness and preventing others from experiencing a similar tragedy.
Signs to be on the lookout for:
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It can happen to anyone of any age.
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Contrary to popular belief, most people with depression and suicidal thoughts broadcast their intentions in some way.
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80% of those who commit suicide are depressed.
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They may make comments indicating a lack of motivation and will to live.
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Some may mention methods in which they can end their lives.
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Silent alerts include actions such as giving away prized possessions.
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Many suicidal people often have trouble sleeping, do not eat properly, and find it difficult to work.
What can I do?
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If you or a loved one show signs of depression or unusual sadness, SEEK IMMEDIATE PROFESSIONAL HELP before encouraging suicidal thoughts. (2)
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Behavioral therapies, mindfulness, breathwork, and gratitude practices can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression. (2)
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Talk to someone you trust who can help you look at the situation from a different perspective. When we feel like we are at rock bottom, everything appears hopeless. Gaining another angle will help give you a more objective view, which can be a great help.
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Physical activity is also great for combating mental and emotional ups and downs, especially if done in nature which has soothing and therapeutic benefits. (3)
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Lean on products that come from Mother Nature such as ashwagandha, which has been shown to have at least nine neuroprotective components with pharmacological effects that are key to treating brain disorders like anxiety and depression, including more severe problems. (4)
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Curcumin from turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and has been proven effective in treating a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety, including some of the major depressive types. (5)
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Passionflower has been shown to help reduce stress and is useful in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, and depression due to its well-documented therapeutic properties (with no adverse side effects). (6)
Even if yellow is not your favorite color or you have been spared from life’s deep turns and twists, you can still be a ray of sunshine for others – a beacon of light on otherwise cloudy days.
Let's be healthier together.
Your Santo Remedio Team
References
1. World Health Organization. Suicide Prevention. https://www.who.int/health-topics/suicide#tab=tab_1
2. Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, Stephanie A Kelly, Janna Stephens, Kerry Dhakal, Colleen McGovern, Sharon Tucker, Jacqueline Hoying, Kenya McRae, Samantha Ault, Elizabeth Spurlock, Steven B Bird. Interventions to Improve Mental Health, Well-Being, Physical Health, and Lifestyle Behaviors in Physicians and Nurses: A Systematic Review. Am J Health Promot. 2020 Nov;34(8):929-941. doi: 10.1177/0890117120920451. Epub 2020 Apr 27. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32338522/
3. Ashish Sharma, M.D., Vishal Madaan, M.D., Frederick D. Petty, M.D., Ph.D.3. Exercise for Mental Health. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2006; 8(2): 106. doi: 10.4088/pcc.v08n0208a. PMCID: PMC1470658. PMID: 16862239 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470658/
4. Sultan Zahiruddin, Parakh Basist, Abida Parveen, Rabea Parveen, Washim Khan, Gaurav, Sayeed Ahmad. Ashwagandha in brain disorders: A review of recent developments. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Jul 15;257:112876. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112876. Epub 2020 Apr 16. PMID: 32305638 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112876 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32305638/
5. Laura Fusar-Poli, Lucia Vozza, Alberto Gabbiadini, Antonio Vanella, Ilaria Concas, Silvia Tinacci, Antonino Petralia, Maria Salvina Signorelli, Eugenio Aguglia. Curcumin for depression: a meta-analysis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020;60(15):2643-2653. doi:10.1080/10408398.2019.1653260. Epub 2019 Aug 19. PMID: 31423805 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2019.1653260 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31423805/
6. Katarzyna Janda, Karolina Wojtkowska, Karolina Jakubczyk,* Justyna Antoniewicz, and Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka. Passiflora incarnata in Neuropsychiatric Disorders—A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2020 Dec; 12(12): 3894. Published online 2020 Dec 19. doi: 10.3390/nu12123894. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7766837/
