According to him, the most dangerous mistake is to think that emotional difficulties will pass on their own or that a person talking about them is just seeking attention, the press release says.
Read more Prime Minister: Lithuania is ready to send a team of 32 firefighters to France
“Every thought about suicide is one that we must take seriously. It should not be considered manipulation or an attempt to attract attention. If a person talks about it, it means there is suffering behind those words that cannot be ignored,” says psychiatrist Dr. Laura Dabulyte in the podcast “Lithuania is Recovering.”
An emotional crisis begins long before help is sought
According to L. Bukelskis, one of the biggest problems is that people often wait until the situation becomes critical. The belief that emotional difficulties will pass on their own is still widespread, so specialists are only consulted when daily life becomes unbearable.
According to the doctor, an emotional crisis usually begins much earlier – with thoughts that a person ignores, undervalues, or keeps to themselves.
“Very few people actually want to die. Most often, they want to live differently – it just becomes too hard for them to live the way they are living at that moment. Therefore, the most important thing is not to be alone with your thoughts and to seek help in time,” he emphasizes.
The psychiatrist reminds that mental health is not just a diagnosis or treatment in a hospital. It is influenced by daily stress, lack of rest, relationships with loved ones, pace of life, physical health, and lifestyle. Although not all risk factors can be controlled by a person, a significant portion can be reduced by taking care of oneself in time and not being afraid to seek help.
Psychoactive substances increasingly affect young people
Speaking about mental health challenges, L. Bukelskis draws attention to a growing problem – more and more young people are admitted to psychiatric wards due to the use of psychoactive substances.
Read more Evacuated residents in Spain return home, weather deterioration expected in France
“We increasingly see young people who have just reached adulthood developing severe mental disorders due to drug use. Sometimes the best prevention is very simple – just not to start certain things,” says the doctor.
According to him, psychoactive substances can provoke severe mental disorders that require hospital treatment. In some cases, their long-term effects fundamentally change a person’s future life.
The most important thing is not to ignore the first signals
The specialist urges more attention to be paid to the emotional well-being of young people. According to him, not only open conversations within the family but also meaningful engagement, a safe environment, and connection with loved ones are very important. Parents should not be afraid to inquire about how their children feel, who they spend time with, and what difficulties they are experiencing.
According to L. Bukelskis, an important role is played not only by mental health specialists but also by the person’s closest environment. It is often the loved ones who first notice changed behavior, withdrawal, feelings of hopelessness, or other signs of an emotional crisis. In such situations, it is important not to judge or blame but to listen and encourage seeking help.
“We often try to look for signs of when to start worrying. But the most important rule is very simple – if a person talks about their suffering or thoughts of withdrawing from life, it should always be taken seriously. Sometimes one conversation or a timely helping hand can change a lot,” L. Bukelskis concludes.
Read more A new head of «Rail Baltica» Lithuania starts work
You can find the episode of the show on the “Lithuania is Recovering” YouTube channel.
