A few reasons for the high rate of suicide, especially in middle-aged men have and some professional observations have been recorded in recent times. Personal traits, loneliness, masculinity, and challenges of mid-life have been noted as reasons for the high rate of men taking their lives.
According to the statistics of suicide rate in the United Kingdom presented by the Samaritans in 2018, there is a significant increase in the trend. In 2017, there were 6,213 suicides in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Of these, 5,821 suicides were registered in the United Kingdom and 392 occurred in the Republic of Ireland. In the United Kingdom, men are three times as likely to take their own lives, than women.
In the Republic of Ireland, men are four times more likely to take their own lives than women. In the UK, the highest suicide rate was for men aged 45-49. In the Republic of Ireland, the highest suicide rate was for men aged 25–34 (with an almost identical rate for men aged 45–54). In Northern Ireland, suicide rates for both men and women are higher than other UK nations – however rates are not necessarily directly comparable.
It is very clear that there is need to evaluate the reasons and causes of these sad occurrences of men and women taking their own lives. I have asked myself over and over again. Why would a man or woman decide to take such a costly decision, taking their lives? I have not been able to find a rational clue to this act, which I feel is really against the plan of God for mankind. A few reasons for the high rate of suicide, especially in middle-aged men have and some professional observations have been recorded in recent times. Personal traits, loneliness, masculinity, and challenges of mid-life have been noted as reasons for the high rate of men taking their lives.
“Regardless of what the situation is, we must come to a place of understanding that life is a gift.“
In the previous series of this article, I mentioned that Joshua had a hard and lonely time when he had to remain alone at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Putting myself in his shoes, I could imagine it must have been a difficult position to be. Regardless of the personality trait, psychological stability and whatever nature a man could have, it takes the grace of God and determination to remain positive in the face of such circumstances. “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.” (Exodus 33:11).
Life is a Gift
Regardless of what the situation is, we must come to a place of understanding that life is a gift. We should therefore appreciate the gift. Every day we are able to experience another day, it has been given to us by God as a gift. It’s a blessing to be alive, even as I write this piece; I am celebrating this new day and giving thanks to God, the giver of life.
The young man, Joshua, was able to weather the storm and manage the cold weather alone, during night and day, because he appreciated that being alive, even alone is a gift from God and that is the most important access to fulfilment in life. The Almighty God who created you and I expects us to appreciate the life that we have today. Every man has one cross they carry, whether loneliness, terminal disease, loss of loved one or physical disability. Whatever the situation is, our life is still a gift, which we must cherish.
To be continued…
