The pebble splashes in water and affects surface surrounding it. A circular ripple spreads outwards and in turn produces another and another and so on. Have you noticed also, that just how far this effect travels is dependant on magnitude of impact of that initial pebble? As you read this, take a moment to consider yourself as being that pebble.

You may make more of an impact on people's lives than you think. When I say "people's lives", you can include your own. The impact you make in any territory, whether it be yours or that of others around you, helps to determine what I would describe here as: circles of destiny.

You may perhaps have seen a photograph portraying ability of flash photography to capture movement and freeze it in time. I am thinking particularly about a photography that shows something being dropped into a pool of milk. That initial impact of object being dropped causes a "crown" to form as milk splashes upward with a ridge having milky "jewels" suspended above it. As that "ridge" falls back to surface, radiating circles begin to commence their motion. This is more dominant radiating force, but in meantime, milky jewels also land back upon surface with each of those giving birth to their radiating existence. Such results commence a dance with multiple circles of destiny.

Logically, before you were conceived in womb, you had no effect on anyone or anything upon this earth. From moment you were conceived however, your very existence began to cause an impact not just on other people, but on life and human development too as interaction, cause, and effect, began. During such early years, you of course, had little if any control on such interactions and reactions of those to your existence. You might have protested with odd kick or two, but that was about your lot until you were born.

As years passed and you grew to point where you could readily communicate with those around you, your impact on society took a more earnest stride, but let us leap forward to another time...now.

How do you feel about impact you have on lives of others from day to day? Do you recognize that impact? Are you happy with impact or effect you have on others? There are those amongst us who would like to be considered as more significant and yet others who would rather not be in limelight and just quietly live out their lives. The odd thing is, that even by quietly living out your life behind scenes as it were, you still have an impact on those who know or who are aware of you. There is no getting away from it - we are all at centre of our own ripple effect. How much of an effect we have though, is dependent on two factors: force and resistance.

If I were to drop a "Water Boatman" insect on surface of a pool, it would happily scoot around on surface and not sink once! If I jumped onto surface of same pool, I would do very little scooting around unless it was on bottom of pool! My impact on poor Water Boatman would be pretty severe!

On Monday, a Hyundai executive leaped to his death from 12th floor. He was on trial for allegedly paying off North Korea $100 million to agree to a 2000 summit between North and South Korea.

In both urban and rural areas, many more suicide cases do not go unnoticed. Through local papers and town’s rumor mills, suicide becomes a sad tale and a mystery.

Why would people kill themselves?

Recent studies have shown correlation between suicide and serotonin deficiency in brain. Moreover, presence of significant stress has far-reaching consequences especially if such stressor, such as legal entanglements, results in profound hopelessness and depression. Frequently, when there is no immediate resolution to problem, suicide becomes an attractive escape.

It then becomes obvious that suicide is not only a medical disorder but a psychosocial issue. It is more than just a manifestation of emotional distress. It is a complication of an unresolved state of affairs.

There is no question that suicide is devastating to everyone. I have seen loved ones grapple with pain of loss and shame associated with manner of death. Pain and grief among relatives persist for months despite efforts to feel better though counseling and medication.

Can suicide then be prevented?

Suicide prevention is as much a science as it is an art. Although applying scientific psychotherapeutic techniques can be effective, gentle art of dealing with suicidal person makes all difference.

Having stated these, if clues of suicidal behavior can be recognized early and sources of stress addressed immediately, then risk of suicide can be reduced. The issue of early recognition and remedy therefore becomes crucial. The CARE approach can help loved ones cope.

What is CARE Approach?

The CARE Approach is a practical four-step process that a person can use in dealing with a disorder such as suicidal behavior and depression. This approach emphasizes early recognition and intervention. The early process includes following: 1) Check for signs of emotional illness 2) Anticipate complications 3) Remedy with early intervention and 4) Educate yourself about illness.

Check for signs of emotional illness or distress

Suicide, like any medical disorder, does not happen instantly or “out of blue.” Usually, it is preceded by emotional turmoil such as depression, agitation, significant anxiety, impulsivity, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.