Hyderabad: Suicidal ideation is a medical emergency. Just the thought or expression, in the form of written communication, of the inability to cope with financial loss and other gestures must be taken as signs of mental trauma, stated experts. This seems to have been so in the case of the founder of Cafe Coffee Day, V G Sidhartha, who allegedly committed suicide because of financial worries.
Inability to cope with a financial disaster and the resultant social embarrassment creates a feeling of hopelessness which is the first warning sign of the body and mind not being able to take the pressure. Dr Minhaj Nasirabadi, general secretary, Hyderabad Psychiatric Society, explained, "Suicidal ideation is thinking about, considering or planning suicide. Ident-ifying suicidal ideation is important for prevention. The extreme feeling of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness must be dealt with. This stage is a passive suicidal ideation and if it continues such thoughts lead to active thoughts where the resolution is to opt for suicide." Close family members and friends can recognise the signs and must try to find out what is going wrong and seek appropriate help.
