We all are aware of mental health challenges which have been increasingly common in today’s fast and complex world. But the most overwhelming and pressing concern is suicide which devastates families, communities, and societies. We do have an important yet powerful framework which ties through all the crises i.e. Emotional Intelligence [EI]. If we harness emotional intelligence, we can build up hope, foster resilience and also create a healthy and supportive environment that prevents despair from spiralling into this tragedy.
What is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional Intelligence usually feels like a complex term but it in reality refers to the ability to recognize, manage, understand and influence our own emotions and the emotions of others. It consists of five main key components;
- Self-awareness: This means that you try to understand your own emotions.
- Self-regulation: Working on managing the responses and reactions effectively.
- Motivation: Channelling emotions towards positive goals.
- Empathy: To understand and put yourself in another person’s shoes.
- Social skills: To build healthy relationships along with effective communication.
EI is known to be just a personal development skill but instead, it is a community resource that, if nurtured could also promote mental well-being and foster resilience.
The Link Between Emotional Intelligence and Suicide Prevention
Suicide usually stems from feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, loneliness, isolation and also an inability to cope with so many emotions which could be very overwhelming. Emotional intelligence can address these factors in several ways:
Recognizing Early Warning Signs: Identifying early signs is important as EI helps you to identify the emotional distress in yourself and others. A heightened sense of self-awareness and empathy allows you to detect subtle changes in behaviour or mood that may indicate someone is struggling or going through something.
Encouraging Open Communication: People with higher EI levels create or foster a safe space for conversations. When people feel heard and understood they are most likely to share their difficulties, struggles, and burdens and this helps in reducing the amount of loneliness and isolation.
Building Resilience: EI usually helps us to manage our emotions such as stress, disappointment, and anxiety by equipping individuals with healthy coping mechanisms, EI can also help you navigate life’s challenges without succumbing to despair.
How Can You Seek Hope
Preventing suicide is not that difficult but it takes not just individual effort but it requires collective actions and support. Society, schools and communities everyone needs to work together and build a few strategies on how suicide can be prevented. One must begin by creating an environment where emotional intelligence is nurtured and fostered along with mental health being a priority. Here are some strategies for you to start building resilience, and EI on your own;
- Implement Emotional Intelligence Training: Try joining programs and attending workshops and communities where they teach you how to build resilience and EI-building skills.
- Educate Yourself and Others: Reading articles, listening to podcasts and books on the EI will help you be more aware and attend it in a better way. Sharing it within your community or working on it will help to empower and support each other.
- Encourage Peer Support Groups: Community or support groups are always efficient wherein you feel a sense of belongingness. You would not feel alone then and you would find other individuals too in the same boat as you.
- Promote Positive Role Models: Many times, when you feel low or not motivated enough, try learning about those individuals who survived difficult situations, and who have set an example of courage and hope. This will help you to find that ray of sunshine within you. Try viewing them as your life’s beacon of hope.
- Learn Emotional Regulation Techniques: Techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and cognitive reframing can help you manage intense and overwhelmed emotions effectively.
- Develop Active Listening Skills: Try paying attention to what others are saying about you without judgment. One skill that is difficult to develop but is always beneficial to the other person is active listening. Show them that you genuinely care about them and begin validating their feelings.
- Leverage Technology: Let’s Get Happi is one app which plays a crucial role in fostering emotional well-being by providing affordable, accessible services 24/7. They provide guided meditation, exercises, and journaling all for free. These resources help in harnessing EI in a very effective manner.
A Call to Action
Each life is valuable, and every person or individual has the ability and power to make a difference and influence someone else, their self and society. By harnessing Emotional Intelligence, these traits and skills can create an outstanding effect of understanding, compassion and hope. Try being an empathetic listener or just be kind to yourself or anyone, maybe that is all we need sometimes to feel better.
So, join us now, and together. We can start by building hope, and resilience and also strengthening communities, and preventing or at least trying to prevent suicide. Every life matter and if we can even save one person’s life, we might have discovered and fulfilled the purpose. If you or someone you know is struggling, or going through something, please reach out. Hope is always within reach, and help is always available.