Although many effective treatments are said to exist, suicide in women remains a much under recognised, under diagnosed and under treated problem..

TRIGGERS

There appears to be a widespread and general consensus that the most common triggers compelling women to attempt suicide, are (1) interpersonal losses and (2) major crises in social or family relationships. These relationships are all-important and focus upon an area in which women generally have better and stronger

personal support networks than men. More friends, colleagues, better relationships with other members of the family etc. Being surrounded by mutually supportive caring individuals, plays a very important role in terms of suicide deterrent. Having said that, it should be noted that suicide among women in England and Wales (reportedly) increased by 33.7% following the funeral of Lady Diana.

These 'networks' appear to be the main supporting pillar in a woman's life. Especially when this 'pillar' is focused upon a loved one. Love is possibly the greatest protection against suicide. As is a good marriage or loving relationship. Being pregnant and having children in the house seems to have a positive protective effect against maternal suicide. Having said that there is an increased risk of suicde for parents that experience the loss of a child. Or have a child with a psychiatric illness.

It appears that when these supportive 'pillars' collapse, suffer damage or are in crisis, that a suicidal crisis becomes a high risk.

She couldn’t live without daughter, grandkids

THE mother of a woman who killed herself and two kids by leaping in front of a train has committed suicide in exactly the same way.

             Heartbroken Satwant Kaur Sodhi told friends she could not go on living after the tragedy.

             Six months ago Navjeet, 27, threw herself, daughter Simran, five, and 23-month-old son Aman off the platform at Southall train station, West London after suffering depression. She was four months pregnant at the time.

            Afterwards Mrs Sodhi, 56, regularly visited the station where she stood crying, unable to come to terms with her loss.

            In the last two weeks she spoke of suicide and said there was no point living without her family.

           Minutes after midday on Monday, she returned there and flung herself in front of the 95mph Bristol to Paddington express.

           Witnesses said the driver saw her but was unable to stop in time. Her body was cut in half by the impact.

            Yesterday family members said she was being treated for depression and spent several weeks in hospital on suicide watch before Christmas.

           Relative Satwant Kaur said: “She was always talking about joining her daughter and grandchildren.

           “I used to see her two to three times a week and was always talking about the same thing’ 

Moments

Another friend, said: “I suppose she felt she could not take the pain anymore.

            “She lived for those kids and her daughter and was absolutely lost when they died

They were very close.

             Mrs Sodhi’s husband had left when Navjeet was very young so it was just the two of them.”

             Family friend Rajinder Singh said: “She talked about killing herself all the time. We talked to her to try and keep her positive.

            “She would come in my shop on the way to the station where she would stand on the platform watching the trains go by and crying.

            “Relatives would go and bring her back home. It’s a total tragedy. Everybody is very upset.”

            Before Navjeet died on August 31, she suffered post natal depression and was thought to be worried about her latest pregnancy.

            Her arranged marriage to Post Office worker Manjit, who moved to the UK from India, was in difficulty and the couple had had a trial separation.

            Moments before she died, she called him to tell him what she was about to do.

           “She told him: “we’re going away together for a very long time and you’re not going to see us.”

           He rushed to the station arriving moments after and picked his dying son off the track. He has since returned to India.

         Mrs Sodhi’s family said in a statement: “No matter how we tried to help, she could not find comfort in anything or anyone.

        “She will be missed dearly and we can only seek solace in knowing she is at peace with her family.

        “We must now try to come to terms with the loss and this incomprehensible chain of events.”

The Sun: 23.02. 2006 

Couple to these emotional support pillars, the fact that women are usually much more willing to seek psychiatric and other medical assistance if required.

This willingness can (and often does) lead to early diagnosis and treatment of any condition which could contribute to suicidal behaviour. This certainly explains why women have a much lower rate of completed suicide than men.