In 2014, Telangana State registered more than 9,623 suicide cases. That was when the census was out, two years down the lane, we’re still struggling to find a solution.
There are plenty of reasons one resorts to extreme measures like killing themselves. Most often, they are subjected to bullying, discrimination, loneliness, social exclusion, lack of confidence and a feeling of hopelessness.
Inspector General of Police (P&L), Amit Garg believes that one of the reasons that this happens is because we don’t have any formal mechanism for counselling those with suicidal tendencies. “People try to suppress these issues terming them as a psychological disease,” says Amit.
And if one goes by recent reports, the police force, children and senior citizens rate high on this list. Garg adds that no help can be provided to people unless the ask for it: “Unless the family shares the problem with doctors and the police, there can’t be any prevention.”
He also thinks that a cultural conflict is often a major issue amongst teens. “Youth from rural backgrounds tend to think their peer group is smart and they try to imitate them. That’s when the problem starts. Then there are issues like love failure and then they can’t cope up academically, socially or culturally. In most cases, parents are not even aware of it,” he says. When we get such reports of depression, we forward it to someone on our list of professional counsellors,” adds Garg.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Zone Kamalhasan Reddy points out that most suicides are due to financial problems, family issues, love failure, and depression. The Lake Police have saved more than 169 people from committing suicides this year. “Often, victims take such decisions on an impulse and when that thought is delayed, contemplation sets in. In most of the cases, post-counselling, victims are handed over to the family members,” he adds. Among those who fall under the high risk-group are cops, children and senior citizens.
While the police do not have an in-house counsellor, psychologists believe they must be provided with such a system. Shanthi, a volunteer at Roshni Counselling Centre with over 20 years of experience, explains that cops are high on this list because they are always under immense pressure from their seniors. Sometimes isolation from family can push them to have suicidal thoughts and when the stress builds up, they take their life. “When the means are available, suicide becomes easier. Cops are usually hesitant to talk to their coworkers. If an in-house counsellor is available, they can easily vent it out,” she adds. With children, the pressure to study and do well puts them on a high risk too. Look for signs like isolation, and recluse. Often, they stop doing things they once loved or start talking more about death with their friends or might write or draw about death. Children who have lost a parent or come from broken families often develop suicidal tendencies and need to be checked on often. Senior citizens is another group that falls under risk. “Telangana has a very high number of students and people who leave their parents and go abroad for higher studies or to work. Often, the parents are left alone and have to battle loneliness and illness. Some are put into home for the aged and they tend to become lonely there,” points Shanti.
(Inputs from Priyanka Praveen)
