Suicidal tendencies growing among youth

Suicidal tendencies growing among youth
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Highlights

India has one of the world’s highest suicides rates for youth aged 15-29, according to a 2012, Lancet report, which illustrated the need for urgent interventions for this demographic, leading psychiatrist in Telangana Dr B Keshavulu said here on Friday.

One suicide is taking place for every minute in India

Nizamabad: India has one of the world’s highest suicides rates for youth aged 15-29, according to a 2012, Lancet report, which illustrated the need for urgent interventions for this demographic, leading psychiatrist in Telangana Dr B Keshavulu said here on Friday.

About eight lakh suicide deaths take place annually in the world, including 1.35 lakh in India. This accounts one suicide for every 40 seconds and the male and female suicidal rate is 2:1.

The reasons for committing suicide ranges from reasons like school homework burden, love affair, chiding by parents etc. It is surprising to know that a 12-year-old girl, studying sixth class ended her life by jumping into Nizamsagar lake, as she was unable to complete the homework given by her teacher. In 2015, the number of student suicides was 8,934. The number has been increasing alarmingly.

Stating that youth find it difficult to cope with failure in exams and careers and neither families nor social institutions offer adequate support, Dr Keshavulu emphasised the importance of awareness about mental health in India. He said mental health and wellness must be added into school curriculum.

Dr Keshavulu criticised the mental health services in India, stating that district headquarters, major towns, even colleges and universities lack psychiatrists, psychologists and trained counselors.

They can assist at the onset of emotional and mental problems, so they do not spiral into full-fledged clinical depression and lead to suicide. India does not spend enough on mental health.

Currently, it is spending 0.06% of its health budget on mental health, which is less than Bangladesh (0.04%). Most developed nations spend above 4% of their budget on mental health research, infrastructure etc.

Many student deaths result from poor relationship with parents, excessive expectations, feeling of being unwanted, poor understanding of their peers, romantic relationship and poor family back ground and the like will result in
impulsive decision or a long thought-out deliberate suicide, Dr Keshavulu stated.

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