Let’s give subtitles to suicide!

The latest statistics portray a very dingy picture about suicides in our country as suicide seems to be one of the leading causes of death here. According to World Health Organization (WHO) every four minutes a suicide is committed, marking an emerging and a serious public health concern. Unfortunately, the most vulnerable and affected age group is between 15-29 years. The suicide mortality rate per 100,000 population in India is 15.7 while the global average is 10.7.

The WHO states that there are only 28 countries that have a suicide prevention policy in place, and India is not one of them. Lack of adequate suicide data and research also restricts a country’s ability to fight suicide. Only 60 countries have good-quality vital registration data on suicide. According to a reply to the Lok Sabha by H G Ahir, Minister of State for Home Affairs, on January 2, 2018, student suicides have increased 52 percent – from 17 every day (6,248) in 2007 to 26 every day (9,474) in 2016.

Looking at this, we thought of highlighting this issue in a way that not only creates awareness but also helps the country in combating the situation. The fact is that suicide is not always an impulsive decision. Thus we feel that it is important to pay attention to the behavioural pattern of people in and around our circle. But, the issue that arises here is, that most of the people cannot understand these signs and few who get to know, do not what should be the next step. To help a person who is suicidal, one needs the ability and special skills to deal with it.

I personally feel, a nationwide suicide prevention strategy is the first in the steps needed to reduce the number of suicides. Thus, we launched #GiveSubtitlesToSuicide via a campaign video that throws the spotlight on how suicides can be prevented if given subtitles. Which later also encourages how community-based approach involving the Gatekeeper program can lead to more awareness, increased help-seeking and reduction in suicides.

With, WHO recognised, ‘QPR Gatekeeper Training Program’ by Suicide Prevention India Foundation we all can play a role in preventing suicides. All we need is the training to recognise signs, make interventions, and help them get the required help. QPR Institute, the global leader in suicide prevention training already has around three million individuals globally associated with it.

The concept, #GiveSubtitlesToSuicide, that we are exploring is simple but very powerful. There lies no doubt about the fact that those with suicide ideation give out signs or talk about it, either directly or indirectly to a friend, classmate, family member, or a colleague. But most of us are unable to pick up these signs, and even if we are told directly that the person is contemplating suicide, we don't have the necessary knowledge or skills to be able to deal with someone who's suicidal.

Our campaign video, which gave out two perspectives to look at a story, not only explained the importance of evaluating suicidal signs but also urged the viewers to take up the 60 minutes Gatekeeper training programme on the website, www.givesubtitlestosuicide.in.

To spread more awareness, quite a few colleges came forward and joined hands with us. Fortunately, the college authorities in some or the other way would be taking steps among their students to engage with this programme. It is disturbing to see suicides among Youth growing at an alarming rate and thus we all need to take a step to help people combat the suicidal contemplation. You know, Suicide does not take a person’s life, it rather leaves behind a devastated family, friends and loved ones!

(Rajiv Dingra - The author is Founder and CEO, WATConsult on Suicide Prevention)