Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

�Weakening social connectivity triggering suicides�

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Nov 24 � A host of factors, but primarily the weakening of social connectivity and interpersonal relationships, have triggered a sharp increase in teen and elderly suicides across the globe. This tendency has risen even in Assam and the need of the hour is to generate awareness to address the malady as well as the stigma and superstitions associated with it.

This observation was made by noted psychiatrist Dr Jayanta Das today while delivering his speech at the 7th Kankana Medhi memorial function held at the Pensioners� Bhawan here.

Elaborating on the various aspects of mental health, Dr Das said that suicide was related to mental health. �But it will not do to explain suicide only on technical terms because it is highly unpredictable and ambiguous,� said Dr Das, pointing out that 90 per cent of the suicide cases reported were related to mental health problems. He said that such problems could arise out of depression, adjustment disorders, addiction, etc.

Dr Das mentioned that one case of suicide was reported in every 40 seconds across the globe and in India, one suicide was reported in every 12 minutes.

�Suicide is an issue of concern now, but it is also preventable if the members of society and family learn to play their role,� said Dr Das.

According to Dr Das, to prevent teen suicide, it was the duty of parents and the social institutions to ensure the mental well-being of the child right through his formative and adolescent period. He said that the rapid changes sweeping the society have affected the family with parents putting more pressure on their children to perform. Some children have even been physically and mentally abused, causing different mental problems.

�To prevent teen suicide, parents and social institutions should observe the behaviour of the young and any indication of change, however subtle that might be, should be taken seriously,� said Dr Das, mentioning that indications such as withdrawal symptoms, neglect of personal appearance, weight loss, aggressiveness, risk, taking behaviour etc., in the teenagers should not be ignored.

On the other hand, Dr Das said that the present education system was also to be blamed for increasing suicide because it stresses more on intellectual achievement. �Education should be holistic considering the challenges of the new world. It should encompass intellectual attainment, emotional maturity and social skills maturity to address the problems of the new age including suicides,� he said.

Next Story