By Our Reporter
Shillong: The alarming increase of suicide cases in the country especially among the youth has prompted reactions calling for a solution – a phenomenal strategy to prevent suicides by directing efforts not only towards reducing the risk factors but also towards strengthening protective factors.
According to reports, in Meghalaya alone, 5.2 per lakh of the population per year commit suicide with most of them being in the age group of 15-29.
The overall status of the country shows that about 10-15 per lakh population per year commit suicide, with the recurrence being more prominent in women (about 56 per cent).
Taking cognizance of these facts, the 10th anniversary of the ‘World Suicide Prevention Day’, observed worldwide on Monday, focused on spreading messages that would help prevent suicidal intentions in people around the world.
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners is raising awareness among the community and the general population that suicide is preventable.
Joining the rest of the world, this day was also observed in the city on Monday and detail presentations on the suicide prevention strategies were highlighted at a seminar held here at SAN-KER in Mawlai Mawroh.
“It is indeed disappointing to look at the report released by WHO which states than one million people kill themselves every year. On an average nearly 3000 people commit suicide every day,” Dr Eddie Mukhim, a psychiatrist, said.
Dr Mukhim also said that suicide is not only a social problem but also a medical problem and when viewed from a medical perspective, it could be stated that almost 90 per cent of the suicide cases are due to serious psychiatric disorder.
“10 out of 20 persons who attempt suicides die,” he said adding that most of the attempts were made by the youth who are undergoing psycho-social stresses besides other biological factors.
“The myth behind the driving force to commit suicide, as accepted by many is probably due to a bad event which could push a person to suicide but however, the facts stated that suicide results from serious psychiatric disorder and not just a single event,” the psychiatrist opined.
On the same note, Co-founder of SAN-KER, Dr Sandy Syiem, said the number of suicide deaths across the globe is double than the number of deaths due to war, terrorism, homicide and other causes.
Dr Syiem said that over the last years, suicide rates have increased by almost 60 per cent in some countries. “It may be noted that the number of suicide cases is more than what is reported or recorded,” he added.
Dr Syiem also stressed on the need to de-criminalise suicide as this is making the situation even worse especially among persons who are going through depression and intense agony.
It is reported that on the average, there are about three male suicides for every female suicide and this is more or less consistent across different age groups and in almost every country on the world. Conversely, rates of suicide attempts tend to be 2-3 times higher in women than in men, although the gender gap has narrowed in recent years.
Meanwhile, Director of Siloam, Fr George Palamattathil SDB, in his presentation termed psychological deaths as ‘suicide’ while adding that this probably is due to unmet physical and psychological needs.
Stressing more on the school environment, Fr George said most students get to hear all sorts of names and words from their teachers like ‘stupid, lazy, etc.,’ paving the way for psychological disorder in the child’s mind.
“In this way, these children would take a long time to come out of that trauma and mostly, they are deprived of their needs when they are growing up hence making up for the loss needs in their adulthood by making others feel unsafe,” he added.
The director of Siloam has called upon the teachers and parents to choose their words wisely while dealing with their children who are undergoing early and mid adulthood.
“It is a big responsibility for the parents and there is a need to create awareness to young adults about the art of giving,” he added.
Rev VTS Langstieh also presented a detail explanation on community and suicide and contribution and intervention.
The event was attended by doctors and staffs of SAN-KER, local headman and executive members of Dorbar Shnong Mawroh and students from various colleges in the city besides others.