Critical thinking as a lifeline to suicide prevention

Psychologist and bereavement counselor Dr. Margaret Nakhid-Chatoor suggests that teaching critical thinking to young people can help prevent suicide by helping them challenge destructive thought patterns.

Writing for the Diocese of Port of Spain, Nakhid-Chatoor noted that suicide is a leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 34. She explained that while many prevention strategies focus on crisis intervention, proactive measures can include equipping youth with cognitive tools to question assumptions and reframe despair.

Nakhid-Chatoor stated that critical thinking does not replace professional medical care or compassion, but it allows individuals to pause and evaluate distorted thoughts. In her group sessions with teenagers and young adults, she uses questioning to help them resist the pull of self-harm. She also emphasized that suicide is a complex result of psychological, social, and biological factors rather than a moral failing or a sign of weakness.