Life in the fast lane can be lonely, says research

Data released by a counselling service company revealed that in the city 680 people approached them in the last six years. Karuna Baskar, Director of ‘1to1help.net’, presented a paper on suicidal tendencies, based on counselling cases accessed through the Employee Assessment Programme (EAP), a comprehensive corporate counselling programme.

The data revealed that suicidal thoughts were most prevalent in the age group of 20–34 and majority of them were women. “Almost 85% of these people with suicidal tendencies have reached out to us and on time. This shows that there is a part in them that wants to live, which is true for each and every patient having suicidal tendencies. The key is to note the warning signs,” Karuna said.

Citing reasons for this trend she said, “The city specific issue is that there is a huge population that has moved into the city in search of work. Their roots lie somewhere else and have no support system. They have no immediate family to connect to and talk to.”

“In our data 70 per cent of people from Bengaluru sought help because of relationships. In twenties it is break-up or a relationship that was not working. In thirties it is because of emotional and physical abuse. Also many are having affairs outside marriage,” she added. As for methods used to end life, the data revealed that poisoning, slashing wrists and hanging were the most common. There is a part that wants to live and there is one part that wants to die. It is preventable if we are on time. All we need to do is strengthen the part which wants to live,” she added.