Coimbatore: Increasing number of adolescent suicides calls for the need of awareness on mental health and suicide according to experts. The recent suicides of Bollywood celebrity and NEET aspirants have been acting as triggers among adolescents. Experts have warned parents to be more careful in handling their adolescent children.
Coimbatore: Increasing number of adolescent suicides calls for the need of awareness on mental health and suicide according to experts. The recent suicides of Bollywood celebrity and NEET aspirants have been acting as triggers among adolescents. Experts have warned parents to be more careful in handling their adolescent children.
Dr. M. Dinesh Periasamy, Consultant Pediatrician, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Practitioner, Adolescent Counsellor and Life Coach said, "Recent suicides of Bollywood actor and 'NEET' aspirants in Tamil Nadu has triggered self-killing amid adolescents. Society glorifies certain things and degrades some. For example the profession of a doctor is glorified while that of a teacher is degraded. This attitude is one of the main triggering factors. Many parents think there is no life if their son or daughter do not become a doctor or engineer".
He added, "Unrealistic expectations is another reason. For example, one should know the reality about 'NEET' or any other competitive exams. Facts like how many have appeared in the past and what is the pass percentage. Also one should know how an unprepared person clears when a well-prepared candidate fails. Parents should understand the reality and educate their children on the same."
He further pointed out that, "Sudden socio-economic changes also increase suicides. We witness a lot of these changes due to COVID. Hence the suicide risk is more. Family history also plays a major role in triggering suicidal thoughts. The bollywood actor who committed suicide is the best example. I received three calls in three days after that incident. All of them said, they were prone to suicidality when they drew parallels with a an actor who could not succeed in life."
He added that people with other mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and personality disorder are prone to committing suicide. Lack of empathy is also another main reason like a parent scolding their son for consulting a counsellor.
Those who lack meaningful relationships and feel hopeless, helpless, worthless, and are assailed with self-doubt come under high risk categories. Family conflicts also play a major role in making children feel suicidal. Above all, parents' high expectations on their children is the main reason. Those who are addicted to alcohol, drugs etc and those who harm themselves when they despair have more chances of committing suicide and people who have already tried committing suicide have 20 times higher chances of attempting another.
Every minute one person from all age groups is committing suicide across the world. The male and female ratio is 4:1. Female attempt ratio is more whereas male attempt is less but death ratio is more. It is important to pay more attention when someone speaks about suicide. Negligence is dangerous. Apart from spur of the moment decisions, all the other suicide attempts can be predicted earlier and prevented.
He added, "Just talking about suicide is not a triggering factor but how one speaks matters the most. Print, visual and online media plays a very important role. While publishing or broadcasting news about suicides, media organisations must be more vigilant and they should convey it in a delicate manner. If it is sensationalised, it will trigger suicides."
He stressed that parents should not hesitate to talk about suicides to their children, rather they should discuss and educate them. He also pointed out that many think that if they die they will teach a lesson or bring a big change, but in reality nothing of that sort happens. Also another misconception is that people who kill themselves are weak.
How to prevent suicides:
- Glorification or degrading must be avoided.
- If any disappointment or failure occurs parents should give time for their children to come out from that crisis.
- Parents and teachers should concentrate in teaching their children about how to understand feelings.
- As per 'WHO' recommendations, a separate committee should be formed to prevent suicides.
- A clear understanding of the fact that nobody is perfect and Success is a mere perception only should occur.
- Creating awareness through religion is also important.
- More publicity on suicide prevention helplines will help people in need.
- Social inequality must be reduced.
- Parents should monitor their children's internet usage.
- Consulting a psychiatrist and/or a counselor if needed should be done without any delay or hesitation.