Suzan Al-Mashhadi, a social psychologist in Al-Amal Hospital, wrote a very important article in Al-Hayat newspaper telling the story of a woman who was seriously thinking about committing suicide.
What I liked about Suzan’s article is that she ended her piece with a question, unlike some psychologists and psychiatrists who ask questions rhetorically and then dispense with all their answers and solutions.
Sociology is essentially a study of mental make-up. Society is also organic, growing like any living creature; its features and demands change with time, societies are influenced by scientific and universal surroundings.
In France, when the leaders of the revolution sought to change the corrupted social system — they did so with deep analyses and studies. Germany, a country that has developed a great philosophical tradition, also engages in deep sociological observations to improve the lives of its people.
Psychological problems, including those that lead to contemplating or committing suicide, start when there is a perception that the conditions that lead to this tragic conclusion aren’t treatable.
Al-Mashhadi mentioned in her article that a girl she visited in a hospital felt that her parents had socially rejected her. The girl had fled her home to stay with a relative. And when she attempted to return, her family continued to reject her.
The idea that suicide is a marginal issue should be corrected. It’s a bigger sociological problem than most people think. I receive many letters from young girls and boys who think seriously of ending their lives. I also know personally a number of people who unsuccessfully attempted suicide.
The bizarre thing is that many families didn’t attempt to help their distressed relatives even after knowing they attempted to end their own lives. Apparently, certain people’s brains are so wired and inflexible that they cannot consider new strategies for combating social issues.
Discussing the issue of suicide is serious. It affects young people more than older people, and young people make up a majority of our population. Facing such intense psychological distress, many youths don’t know what to go, don’t know where to go, and, indeed, may not even recognize that there are ways of treating depression and family issues. “Where do this girl and other girls like her go?” asked Al-Mashhadi. “Who could save them?”
We must review our social customs and open our minds to addressing problems in innovative ways. Saudi Arabia is experiencing rapid social changes and if we insist on keeping our eyes closed, our abuse shelters will continue to be crowded with victims.
I wish that the social institutions and the Ministry of Social Affairs could oblige us with clear solutions to cope with the change — to answer Al-Mashhadi’s excellent questions.
